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Kenyan sports journalist Rix was barred from a football match entrance due to superstitions about women bringing bad luck.
African football is a fascinating blend of raw talent, passion, tradition, and at times, age-old superstitions. The game, known globally for uniting people, has intricacies that sometimes bring unforeseen challenges for those who love it.
One such incident that resonated globally was the experience of Rix, a renowned Kenyan sports journalist.
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Rix, the spirited face behind the popular online magazine Sports Eye, has covered countless matches and is no stranger to the vibrant energy of African football.
However, on Saturday 15 September, during the intense Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) fixture between AFC Leopards and Muhoroni Youth at Kasarani, she was starkly reminded of the deeply rooted traditions that still permeate the sport.
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"So I've come for the AFC Leopards vs Muhoroni Match here at Kasarani and am being told I cannot use the main entrance because am a "woman" eti "nitaleta mikosi kwa team" (I will bring to the team misfortune) Sad Sad Sad," said Rix.
This incident highlights an intriguing dichotomy present in African football. While on one hand, the sport has seen rapid modernization with advanced training facilities, strict dietary regimes, and a high level of professionalism, on the other, it remains deeply connected to its traditional roots and beliefs.
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For many teams across Africa, these age-old rituals and superstitions, from wearing 'lucky' jerseys to avoiding specific actions before a match, are not mere traditions but an essential aspect of the game.
It is a belief that the outcome of a match could hinge on the unseen and the metaphysical rather than solely on a player's skill or a team's strategy.
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African football has always been a unique blend of physical prowess and mystical beliefs. Many teams are known to consult local shamans or traditional healers before games, seeking blessings or to ward off ill-fortune.
Players often engage in unique rituals, like donning specific gear or even smearing themselves with particular concoctions, all in the hope of gaining a spiritual edge over their competitors.
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Yet, for all its charm and richness, this blend also sometimes leads to incidents that could be deemed regressive or discriminatory, like the one Rix experienced.
The act of barring a female journalist from entering the pitch due to the belief that she might bring bad luck, especially in this age of gender equality and empowerment, seems starkly out of place.
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It raises a crucial question: as the world of sports progresses, is not it time that these age-old beliefs and superstitions, especially those that discriminate, evolve too?
It is essential to appreciate and respect the traditions and cultural richness that African football brings to the global sporting arena. At the same time, it is not equally vital to challenge and change regressive beliefs that perpetuate discrimination or hinder progress.
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The incident involving Rix is a stark reminder of this challenging balance that African football, and perhaps sports worldwide, need to strike out. On one side of the scale is tradition, belief, and culture. On the other, progression, inclusivity, and modernity.
Rix's experience, as unfortunate as it was, serves as a pivotal talking point for the broader community. It is an invitation to introspect and re-evaluate some traditions and beliefs that might no longer serve the best interests of the sport and its followers.
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Football, after all, is as much a game of unity as it is of skill and strategy. It is a sport that brings people together, transcending borders, cultures, and beliefs. And it is only when it truly embodies this spirit of unity and inclusivity, both on and off the pitch, will it genuinely be the beautiful game it iscelebrated to be.
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