Tuesday, April 10, 2012

For the Love of Sports

Lately I've been keeping up more with what is going on at home then what's happening here to be honest, especially in regards to the NCAA men's basketball tournament. I couldn't be more proud of my wildcats for their big win although I'm sad that I had to miss such an occasion.

Sports at UDSM aren't a big deal (although I have seen a notice that an American football team has been started). I've heard their are club teams but I've never seen them because they practice off main campus. I haven't seen any sports being played live here unless you count the kids of the street kicking around their soccer ball. Football (aka soccer) is the most popular sport here, much like the rest of the world apart from the US and the league of choice is the British Premier league. Almost any conversation you have with someone will relate to soccer and who they are supporting, so it comes to a big shock from most when I tell them I don't watch it nor know any teams very well. Sometimes, I've resorted to just saying "I'll support whichever team you do" or "whoever is winning". Even though I became acquainted with soccer in South Africa I don't ever think I'll truly get into it. What can I say, I'm an American football fan through and through.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I miss watching sports live. The whole experience of going to a game with your friends, maybe tailgating before hand and then yelling and cheering on your team is always fun. I guess coming from a school that is so dedicated to its sports teams, school spirit and everything to do with the atmosphere is too ingrained in my system to shake. UDSM doesn't even have a mascot to my knowledge so I feel like an aspect of an university is missing. Therefore, I've come to the conclusion cheerleading would be impossible here, another blow to my sports needs. Other than soccer there is no sport quite as popular. There's no trifecta like baseball, basketball or football in the US or even soccer, rugby, cricket in South Africa, from what I can tell soccer is king and the king of kings is the British Premier League. Everyone seems really happy which this arrangement so long live the king!
Hakuna Matata,
Kimberly

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