Through the Eyes of a Fan

By: Jeff Oleck

Alex and Jeff Oleck

Being a spectator at a soccer match does not come easy for me. As an Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, my attendance at a tournament usually means I am on the sideline evaluating players, taking notes, and interacting with coaches to ask the questions of, "is he committed yet" or "what graduation year is he?".  It is often a lengthy process to identify the player who will be the perfect "fit" for our soccer program.  However, during my week in Wakiso, Uganda I have been able to take off my coaching hat and simply enjoy the sport while admiring those who play it with such great joy and passion. 

The Fields of Dreams Uganda Hope Cup is a one of a kind event.  This tournament brings together teams from Masaka, Kampala, Jinja, and Gulu. It bonds cultures, tribes, and cements the idea that people have more in common than they have differences.  The players who participate have every reason in the world to not be on the pitch.  Most have endured tremendous hardships, persevered through poverty and lack of basic needs, or dealt the loss of a parent, or in some cases, both parents.  Yet, when walking up to the field on the first day of games you would have no idea that these players are any different. They are just kids playing the game they love.

I have been on the Fields of Dreams Uganda board of directors for just over a year now, yet my involvement with FoDU started in 2012 when I was an Associate Head Coach at Valparaiso University.  My knowledge and familiarity with our organization has grown tremendously over the past three years, but no conversation, Facebook post, or video could have opened my eyes to the work being done in Uganda like being here in person.  I have been overwhelmed while witnessing the positive changes that are occurring not only on the physical structures of our partner school campuses, but more importantly within the minds and hearts of the thousands of kids we support.  There is nowhere that these changes are more evident than on the soccer field.  Their character, integrity, grit, and determination has shone throughout the five days of games.  They have shown humility in victory and been gracious in defeat.  As teammates they have challenged each other to set a standard of excellence and held each other accountable to that goal.

FoDU Teams from Gulu and Kampala celebrating together

One of my fondest memories of the tournament occurred on Saturday when the FoDU North (Gulu) u20 Boys Team won a match in the groups stage of play.  This team and these players have endured decades of civil war and all the fallout that occurs within communities during such a conflict. They have lost family members, friends, and loved ones. Some of them have been displaced from their villages or relocated to areas where the conflict is less.  Often times, the cultures from the north seem very distant and removed from those in and around the central Kampala region, but the Hope Cup brought these young men and women into a safe and competitive environment where their skills and dreams could endure.  And not only did they endure, they thrived.  Upon the final whistle of the group play match, the FoDU central men's team rushed the field to join hands with their brothers and celebrate a special moment in time with them.  In one display of camaraderie and solidarity, barriers were broken down and everyone on the field was simply there for the love of the game.

I take great pride in seeing the game of soccer break down barriers and speak to people across cultures in one universal language.  I am so lucky to have been a part of this Hope Cup, to witness the tireless work of our FoDU staff coaches, administrators, and teachers who support and reinforce these kids' dreams every day.  There is no greater reward as a coach than seeing the actions of my players impact the game and the world in a positive way, so I cannot imagine the joy that our staff must feel when they have watched their teams play this week.  These players are overflowing with passion and purpose, but most importantly they are filled with hope.