Soccer keeps Afghan kids off drugs

LASHKAR GAH, AFGHANISTAN

12.08.2004

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Story by: Sgt Jeremy A. Clawson

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan - For leaders in the Helmund province in southern Afghanistan, soccer is more than merely a fun pastime for youth.

Soccer is being used to help keep young men away from drugs.

By building a soccer league, local leaders will give youth a sense of belonging and purpose replacing idle hours with a focus on teamwork and fitness.

The Lashkar Gah Minister of Sports, Mohammed Gaus, recently approached Major Reginald Truss, the 450th Civil Affairs team leader, at the Lashkar Gah Provincial Reconstruction Team headquarters, to inquire about sports equipment for a proposed soccer league.

Truss and his command agreed that the anti-drug message justified funding the project. The CA team spent $16,000, outfitting not only 25 soccer teams with balls, nets and cleats, but also 25 volleyball teams and 25 cricket teams.

"Getting young guys off drugs by providing a good alternative," said Truss, makes the expenditure worthwhile for the coalition, the local Afghan leaders and their communities.

"Long term I hope Mohammed Gaus also introduces sports to the girls as well," added Truss.

To bring the community together in a show of solidarity, Gaus and Truss arranged to have a local soccer team play against soldiers from the Lashkar Gah PRT.

"The game came about to convey an anti-drug message but also that we (U.S. troops) are human and like to have a good time," said Truss.

At the game, held at the Lashkar Gah Sports Complex in Karzai Stadium, the CA team also provided a PA system to convey the anti-drug message.

The PRT Commander, Marine Lt. Col. Eugene Augustine, spoke before the soccer game began to the crowd of more than 500 spectators and emphasized the anti-drug message.

"My message today is clear: say no to drugs, whether it be growing, selling or taking drugs, you must say no," said Augustine. "Drugs are not the future of Afghanistan; you are the future of Afghanistan. Education, democracy and hard work are the future of Afghanistan. Let us celebrate the future of Afghanistan today by watching these drug-free athletes compete."

The soldiers who played soccer against the Afghan team came from the PRT, to include the 168th Infantry Battalion from the Iowa National Guard, the 450th Civil Affairs team from Riverdale, Maryland, Military Intelligence specialist from the 25th Infantry Division and members of the 209th MP Company from Fort Polk, La.

According to Truss, this event was a great opportunity for the soldiers as well as giving to the community.

"This also gives our force protection guys something fun to do so they're not just guarding us," said Truss. "I hope this pulls the community together as far as not always hearing bad news. This is a goods news event that was generated by Afghans and Americans and we hope to do more events like this to pull the community together."

Truss says he expects a broader group of children and young adults to have greater access to the world of sports with the PRT providing sports equipment, enabling Afghans to enhance existing sports programs and start new ones.

"The Minister of Sports feels he can draw more children and young adults away from drug usage by introducing or exposing them to sports activities." said Truss. "Mohammed Gaus' plan with the donated equipment was to help the elementary and high schools as much as possible."

In a meeting a couple days after the soccer game, the Helmand Chief of Staff, Mouadeen, said, "The soccer match was indeed a success."

"The community was very excited about the televised game and many talked about it that week. It showed the community how unified the PRT and local government officials have become to make Afghanistan a successful country," Mouadeen said.

"The soccer match gave a big blow to anti-coalition forces and their efforts to convince the local populace that the PRT does not belong in their community."

Mouadeen has shared with Truss plans to expand the sports program to include recreational parks and three major sports facilities. Mouadeen wants his community to have access to facilities such as these to hopefully one have Afghans qualified for the Olympics.

• Date Taken: 12.08.2004
• Date Posted: 12.08.2004 13:14
• Story ID: 707
• Location: LASHKAR GAH, AF