For thirteen years it has been one of our greatest sources of pride.
The soccer academy that takes kids off the streets of the suburbs of Malindi and entices them to attend school, through scholarships and with the goad of being able to be part of a soccer team and who knows, one day become a good player.
Even for Real Malindi (formerly Karibuni Genoa Malindi) the pandemic has been a black period, with the risk of seeing all the efforts put in the field by the coach and organizer Davis Kenga Badili vanish. Four soccer schools, children up to 10 years old, Under 14, Under 18 and Under 20, which is our team registered in the district championship (a local D series) of the Kenyan Football Federation.
A year and more without being able to train, banned from social and sports activities in schools, and now forced to play on a barren and dilapidated field on the Furunzi plain, on the road to Tsavo.
But Badili never loses heart and we, thanks to the help of the historical Genoa fans who have accompanied us and some readers and friends (including in recent weeks a generous contribution of a Sampdoria fan, demonstrating that solidarity and targeted social projects do not have a flag, but only a heart) have been able to enroll the team of adults in the championship, which is very important because it serves as a stimulus to children to know that if they apply themselves at school and in sports they can aspire to play a real official tournament.
So here it is that on Sunday our championship began!
As a freshman, we got off to a strong start, beating Young Black Stars 2-1. If a good day starts in the morning...in any case, enthusiasm is fundamental for all the boys of the academy and also for the public and for the many other youngsters from the suburbs who risk every day to be kidnapped by the lure of the poor neighborhoods, which means alcohol, drugs, petty crime.
Beyond any outcome, that continues to be our most important victory.