By Paul Sheirich - San Francisco Seals  

 

We've been following our own Tom Simpson, and Lorrie Fair, and four other hearty travelers, on their KickAbout Africa 2010 trip since it left England back in January, and we hope you've followed them as well.  However, in case you have not realized the trip was on, hopefully this will get you in the know!

 

Kickabout seeks to shine a light on the positive and inspirational side of African football - and to ensure that this side, where football is utilized as a powerful tool for social change, is nurtured and celebrated, after the final whistle in Johannesburg, the team will  use whatever means necessary to travel overland from the UK to Cape Town, South Africa and achieve three goals:

1) Celebrate African football at every stop made;
2) Honor Africa’s humanitarian and sports heroes;
3) Support for the most courageous and innovative sport and development projects in Africa.

The photographs shown here are of the team camp in the Sudan desert, and of Lorrie Fair getting ready for a "match" in Irbid, Jordan.

 

Of the Sudan, Tom offers: "The Sudan is still relatively unspoiled territory for the traveler. There are very few tourists so their is no strong tradition biased towards the tourist. It's the safest country we've traveled. The generosity and warmth of the people is breathtaking at time. You can't help but to say things like: I wish every culture or people was like the Sudanese. They don't smoke, too. What a special gift that is after so much cigarette smoke everywhere we traveled. There is an official ban of alcohol, but they manage to find a bit of moonshine. Our guide, Awad, made the trip extra-special, just like he did for Maria and I three years ago. He's an extraordinary man. The photos tell a lot. We spent a lot of time in the desert and we got pretty fond of it."

 

Of soccer in Irbid: "Lorrie and Eli led a skills clinic where Lorrie, reprising her role as a Right To Play Athlete Ambassador, infused life lessons into the training activities. Within a few minutes, the boys of Karmel Club wanted to challenge Lorrie and Eli to a friendly match, anxious to play with a world-class athlete (and Eli).

At session’s end, Lorrie and Eli stumbled off the field riding a new found wave of adrenaline-fueled momentum with smiles on faces, sweat on brow, and reinvigorated from hibernation thanks to the energy of the boys."

To follow along, as our very own Tom Simpson and Lorrie Fair continue through Africa on their way to the World Cup in their quest to celebrate the game, and it's impact throughout people's lives in Africa and the world, you can click on the KickAbout Africa 2010 link in out "Headline" section at the top right corner of our website, or bookmark the following sites:

 

KickAbout on Facebook

Lorrie Fair's KickAbout Blog

 

Kickabout: Africa 2010 is a grassroots, do-it-yourself expedition, and the team has invested its own resources to make the trip a reality. We have been supported by the wonderful folks at Nike, Los Angeles FC, Plus 3, and our closest friends and family members. If you or your company would like to support Kickabout, there are several ways you can donate and help.   Click HERE to learn more about how you can help!