Salt & Light!

Here at Synergy, after the joys of Christmas, we are focussed on the start of the second half of our Big League campaign which will kick off again next month.

As I reflect on 2014, and in particular on the first half of our season there are many things that spring to mind.

Perhaps the main one is a question that troubles me: In a football system so lacking in integrity, how can we begin to make changes that will really make a difference?

I have been involved in football in Uganda long enough to have experienced first hand the corruption that is a cancer destroying the ‘beautiful game.’ There is a very good reason that Uganda has failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations since 1978, and it’s not because of lack of talent! Whilst there may be a number of contributing factors, lack of integrity, in my view, stands atop the list.

I have more than once reflected on the poor example that comes from above (just see the scandals surrounding FIFA – the world governing body) and how this no doubt fuels the lack of interest in change here in African nations like Uganda when it comes to finding a better, more honest way forward. Unfortunately, as is so often the case, there are too many people who are far more interested in lining their own pockets than in developing the young talented youngsters of this nation.

On the pitch our season so far has been one of missed opportunities, tough lessons, learning to cope with failure, and allowing it to shape our character as a team and as individuals. However, it is also a story of deep frustration as we see inconsistent rule application, poor organisation, and at times, ludicrous refereeing that stinks of bribery.

Some might say that this is the rant of a coach who looks at his team’s lowly position in the table (we currently stand 3rd from bottom) and is trying to find excuses. But the truth is that I am much less concerned with our position in any table than I am about the example being set for our young sportsmen and women and the lessons they are learning.

At Synergy we are trying to help young people reach their potential, not only on the sports field but in their wider lives. A massive part of that is helping build the right attitude and conduct of which integrity is key. But in a system where honesty gains little reward, and instead bribery, back scratching and political manoeuvrings are the recipe for ‘success’ where do we start?

The only place we can really start is with ourselves; to be the change we want to see. Jesus calls us to be salt and light, to be living examples in order to bring change from the ground up. And so as we begin 2015 the main message I will be communicating to all our players is to be a beacon of light in a system that is shrouded in darkness. It may not bring the worldly success that so many others are happy to sacrifice their integrity for, but it will bring the kind of success that matters most!

The reality come season’s end may well be relegation, but at least we will face that with a clear conscience, whilst others will know that their success has been bought, not earned. 

If and when that time comes, we will stand upon Proverbs 10:9 which says, ‘whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.’