The finals

So they played the finals and it was kind
of funny how they changed the strategy for
determining the winner. First it was by a
point system but in mid stream they went
to an elimination scheme.

Here's how it finally turned out. The Youngsters
beat Mutjiku 4 to 2. Then in the Finals it was
the 'Vultures' from Chetto against the home
village's Heroes.

It was the best game of the whole tourney and
the Heroes maintained and won 2 to 1.

In the picture you can see the teams making an
opening jaunt across the field and back. They
also had to dodge the puddle of water that
accumulated after the big rain.

Final results:

1. Heroes
2. Vulture
3. Youngsters
4. Mutjiku

The field that they played on was actually the first
real project that we did here. There was a prior
soccer field but it was outside the village and full
of thorns. Plus it wasn't very amendable to
spectators.

So after talking for months and getting the backing
of two of the schools better teachers (who have
left) ... we finally found a location adjacent to the
main housing area in the village.

The next problem was convincing people to come
out and work. That took another two months
and it took two more months to take out four trees.
Should have taken three days but the four other
guys kept saying that it wasn't fair that they were
the only ones working. Which was true but I told them
that one day they will see the fruits of the labor.

It took two years as this tournament was the first
one held at this field. It was really just great and
I met three of the guys that were with me doing the
work. They all agreed that it was worth it and
seemed a bit proud and happy that they did
the field.

The goal was to put the field where people would
come and watch. It worked, as at any time there
were at least 300 villagers sitting and enjoying the
action. I was really surprised to see the people I
saw watching the game.

It was about trying to build a nice little community
setting where people could hang out, relax and
enjoy without having to go to a bar and drink
until drunk and become a nuisance.

Also, the best part about this project was that the
total cost of making the field was ... absolutely
zero. Not one red cent.

I am happy because as I watched the people
just having fun, it felt good to see that one of these
projects went as designed.

Now we have to fix that hole where the puddle is.
Should be easy to get those guys out there with
me ... this time.