Question

I remember when Tony Waiters (the greatest soccer coach in Canadian soccer history) discussed his ideas about coaching young players. He pointed out that a huge number of very good players come from Africa. Becoming a good soccer player requires tons of practice starting from a young age. What do you think Tony’s explanation was – why do the African kids play soccer so much compared to kids in Europe and North America? (Hint: do not say, “They like soccer more than other kids!”)

Answer 1

Tony Waiters used to beileve in the dictum, "CATCH THEM YOUNG". This is necessary to hardwire the game in one's reflexes.

Below are the key general reasons (there are ofcourse exceptions everywhere, buth those exceptions only go towards proving the rule) of African kids playing more soccer as compared to kids in Europe and North America:

1. Soccer does not require significant money, or restime ources to play. This fact comes handy for the all round and fast development of this sport as a mass movement.

2. Developed world kids are relatively inclined towards more indoor games or lately towards XBOX and playstations of the world.

3. The sucess of football in Africa is furthering the momentume of attracting newer and younger soccer fans. It could be said that, SUCESS begets SUCESS.

4. The game aligns with the inherent fighter spirit involving hardwork, toil and grit of people of the continent as opposed to greater vanity or sophistication of the developed world.