Football (non-American)

Just like most countries outside of the United States, the popular sport here in Malawi is soccer.  There is a field in just about every spot in town big enough for one.  While they don't have a major team of their own, Balaka just had a stadium built in the last couple of years so they have teams coming from other areas of the country to play.  Last week we went with Mr. Gobede to see a game there.  Mr. Gobede is the geography and agriculture teacher in the Bakhita Secondary school.  He has a bad leg so he gets around with a huge walking stick.  He isn't able to move very fast but is still able to get to school and into town on his own.  He also has a younger cousin that does shopping for him.  The stadium isn't that big, but it is good enough for Balaka.  Mr. Gobede explained that like most projects in Malawi, some of the money was "misplaced" in between the money suppliers and the actually building of the stadium which is why there is dirt and grass in the stands instead of actually seats.  This was also the first game in a month or so because the money from ticket sales was not matching up with the attendance.  The game was entertaining as far as soccer goes, although it ended in a zero-zero score.  Towards the end the players were getting a little rough and the crowd was getting rowdy.  It would have been better if the stadium was full but it was still a good time.  We were invited to the Montfort Fathers' house to watch the champions league match between Liverpool and Chelsea.  That game also ended in a zero-zero tie, but everyone said it was a good game.  I guess the entertainment value of soccer is just lost on me.  If I see another "good" soccer game that ends without anyone scoring a goal, I just might have to throw inculturation out the window and give up on soccer altogether.