Sharing a series of untold stories from around the world of football through interviews, articles and photography.
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Created just 3 years ago, after the purchase and relocation of the Mpumalanga Black Aces franchise, the club is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with in African football. So what does it take to create a new football culture in a city still deeply divided in post-apartheid South Africa? After a chance meeting at a recent home fixture, I was lucky enough to sit down with Michel Comitis, CTC’s Commercial Director, to find out more.
Today, the township has hundreds of football teams and thousands of players, with the sport impossible to ignore when you drive around. Makeshift goal frames stand amidst the township’s rolling fields, pitches of various shapes and sizes visible at every turn. The football community is so huge that there are now 5 separate Local Football Associations operating within Khayelitsha alone, with new teams and academies forming by the week, a sign that more people have followed in Dumi’s footsteps around the township.
Read MoreMawande told stories of his upbringing (and fledgling football playing days) in one of the country’s biggest townships, Khayelitsha, a swarming settlement situated on the coastal road between Cape Town and the wine region. As our journey came to an end, Mawande kindly offered me an introduction to his former coach, hoping he would give me a chance to see township football for myself.
Read MoreWhilst on holiday in Cape Town a couple of years ago, I was keen to experience as much of South African culture as possible. Sitting in the sun-kissed garden of a Constantia vineyard, it was our sommelier who expressed his, and clearly his nation's, favouritism for the egg shaped ball. It seemed football has traditionally been the poor relation, playing third fiddle to rugby and cricket in the hearts of the many South African sports fans.
Read MoreHigh-profile club ownership is nothing new to the football world. But what about when your owner happens to be a movie star with about 18 million social media followers, who started the club from scratch and is involved in its day-to-day affairs? Meet John Abraham, the Bollywood star who dreamed of playing for his country as a young boy, and who is now investing far more than just his money to build a football legacy in his home country.
Read MoreMy first impressions of Indian football culture were all experienced through the city of Mumbai. Despite the growing interest and clear passion for the game there, so often it is overtaken or forgotten, whether thanks to cricket, or any number of other economic, geographic or social factors. When I enquired about football throughout the rest of India, three key states were mentioned: Kerala, Bengal and Goa. Friends described to me scenes of colour and chaos on game days, packed out stadiums and thriving grassroots cultures, and it seemed a necessity to go and witness some of this for myself.
Read MoreIn the cramped and colourful streets of Colaba's Ambedkar Nagar, a slum community in the south of India's biggest city, the Women's World Cup seems a long way away. Meet Mamta Prajapati, a 15-year-old defender, and Atisha Saini, an 18-year-old attacker, two young women who are defying tradition to follow their football dreams.
Read MoreMost people would assume an Indian sporting fixture that regularly attracts more than 100,000 people could only be one thing: a game of cricket. But tell that to the people of Kolkata, who on Sunday gathered at the city's Salt Lake Stadium for the latest instalment of the 'Boro Derby', as East Bengal took on Mohun Bagan in what might well be the most well-attended, fiercely competitive and historically significant derby you've never heard of.
Read MoreAlthough this trip was intended to be more about relaxation than football discovery, upon opening the boot of the car I was greeted with a bag brimming full of balls and plastic cones. Remembering my friend’s forewarning that his Dad had been ‘a bit of a player’ back in the day, and was still involved in the local football scene here in Goa, I was curious to find out more about his story.
Read MoreHe introduced himself as Mario, and after a few minutes of speaking, it transpired that he was a freelance footballer based here in Mumbai. I was intrigued to find out more, and Mario kindly invited me to join him and a friend the following day for practice at a nearby ground. Curious to discover more about the origins of Mario’s freestyle career, and to learn about where this form of the game fits into Indian football culture, the next day I was up and at it, en route to Vile Parle to find out more.
Read MoreAfter experiencing top flight Indian football (witnessing Mumbai City FC's Friday night ISL victory), I was curious to find about more about the other end of the spectrum - the grassroots. It’s clear that despite the recent growth and increased interest in the domestic game, to truly develop and scale the impact football has in India will be a lengthy, generational task.
Read MoreAfter a few days of settling into Mumbai life, it wasn’t long before I was chomping at the bit to see some football. The Indian Super League (ISL) season began just a few weeks ago, and this seemed the perfect chance to get a taste of what the elite form of the game looks and feels like here.
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