Pushing To The Limit

Adam Iddrisu, Ghana

Adam Iddrisu is from Tamale in Ghana. He is a volunteer with Rural Soccer Ghana, a non-profit organisation using the sport to support child development in deprived areas of Northern Region, Ghana.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your current football life?

My name is Adam Iddrisu, I am 21, and I am from Tamale in the northern part of Ghana. I am a post-senior high school student working in the field of social change. I am a big fan of football. I love to watch the game, both local and foreign football. 

I joined Rural Soccer Ghana as an intern during my school vacation and now I am a volunteer distributing sports kits to the community. Documenting the young people from my community playing football has deepened my affection for the game. Hearing their stories and the challenges they face when playing pushed me to help. I hope to see prosperity in the footballing career of these young people.

What has your football journey been like up until now?

Though I do not play any serious football, I always loved the game when I was a kid. I was very good at playing in goal. I played almost every day with my friends until I fractured my arm. This did not stop my love for the game as I still participate in football in different ways, at school and at home. I play football with friends at school for fitness and health benefits and take part in the services of Rural Soccer Ghana. 

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

Fatawu Baba and Alhassan Abdul-Hafiz are from Kumbungu and Bulpela respectively. Alhassan is a 19 year old boy who plays for the community team Gamama FC. Fatawu is 23 years old and plays with Eagle FC in Kumbungu. The photos were taken at the training grounds of both players in their communities. They train approximately 5-7 times a week with their teammates and are guided by local coaches. 

These are young people with physical disabilities who refused to hang up their boots. They were born physically fit until they had misfortunes in their lives. Fatawu was knocked down by a car, which resulted in him having a leg amputated. Alhassan became sick, but unfortunately the situation was not reported quickly to the hospital, which would have saved him from his arm amputation. They both accepted their fates and they learnt to live with them.

They have a dream to play at a higher level and they push themselves to their limits to achieve it. They show that there is no excuse for not doing what you love. Football helps them to forget about whatever caused these physical challenges and they feel part of the community when they are playing.

What are your favourite photos? Why?

At the training ground, Alhassan Abdul-Hafiz is never isolated by his teammates even though he does not physically match up with them. They always see him as a colleague and play with him in all competitions. He always feels at home at Gamama FC. This is the love football can show.

Stepping on the ball with a crutch shows Fatawa’s passion for the game. With his ability to play with a locally made crutch, he shows his determination, skills, and pride in playing the game.

What impact has playing football and Ghana Rural Soccer had on you and your community?

Football has had a profound impact on various aspects of my life. Football has given me educational and health benefits and also helped me make friends.

My time at Rural Soccer Ghana has shown me the wider picture of local football in Ghana. Rural Soccer Ghana helped improve my knowledge of the game. As a youth, a trainer or a volunteer on the ground, I have seen and experienced for myself what happens to the youth, especially those who do not make it academically, and those with disabilities and women participating in sports.

Rural Soccer Ghana is a not-for-profit organisation, but also puts special emphasis on young talented soccer players for any scouting agency to support them to develop their potential to the full.

What role does football play in your community and in Ghana?

Football plays a significant role in my community and Ghana as a whole. It is the most loved sporting activity in the country. Football brings the community together. Families and friends gather around to watch the game and cheer up their loved ones. 

Football also impacts youth development in Ghana, as young people play and show their talents at various tournaments and football programs. It contributes positively to national development. For example, it creates employment and generates income for the nation.

What are the opportunities for women and girls to play in your community?

Women's participation in football in Ghana is progressing. In recent times, women's empowerment has been one of the key social movements in Ghana. The Ghana Football Association has implemented several projects to improve women's participation in football across the country.

What does football mean to you? What ambitions do you have for the future?

Football means a lot to me. It is what I love to do and watch others do. Although I do not play football professionally, I would love to expand my knowledge of the game to the highest level. I want to see football in my community and country grow. I would love to see my friends play at the professional level, at big football clubs around the world like Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, PSG, and Real Madrid. 

Watching football is my favourite thing to do. I would love to be a coach, commentator, scout, match official or football journalist one day.

What is the future of football in Ghana? What would you like to change?

Ghana is a football-loving country. It is played all over the country. The majority of Ghanaians participate in the game, either watching or playing. Although football in Ghana is not at the best level, it is improving. Women are supported to play more; local competitions are organised in communities across the country.

I would like the government to give attention to sport in rural communities by supporting them with resources (standard sports fields, kits) and technical support to develop their potential to the full. But Ghanaian football is in safe hands and it is developing.