Football: More than just a game

Drawing on many years of ethnographic research, cultural anthropologist Solomon Waliaula examines the sense of brotherhood between two neighbouring communities in Kenya and what role football plays in this.

As the host of major football tournaments, Morocco is investing heavily in sports infrastructure. At the same time, hospitals and schools are chronically underfunded. The youth movement “GenZ 212” is vocally protesting against this imbalance.

Across Kenya, grassroots football organisations have been working for years to support disadvantaged young people where the state has failed to do so. As public funding for development organisations dwindles, their role is becoming ever more important.