More Than Just A Game -- Nelson Mandela and Futbol

Unfortunately, I didn't find Sports as a priority topic at the Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting last week in Kampala. In the lead up to South Africa's 2010 World Cup, I felt that Sports could have been a key contributor to discussions and plans for social, and economic development not only for 2010, or the 2009 Commonwealth Games, but also year-in-and-year-out in CHOGM nations.

Yet, fear not, I see that the world is catching on to the Sports for Social Change Movement. Most recently, the movement pushed forward, with the premiere of the feature film "More Than Just A Game." I've heard a bit about the stories of futball on Robben Island, and Nelson Mandela's passion for the game, but this film aims to give the full story.

I am interested to see the film and believe it may have the power to teach more of the world that sports (and in this case football) are more than just a game!

(see info below about the film)

WORLD PREMIERE OF “MORE THAN JUST A GAME” ON 23 NOVEMBER IN DURBAN

The World Premiere of the film, More Than Just A Game, which tells the dramatic and little-known story of organized football played among prisoners on Robben Island will take place at the occasion of the Preliminary Draw of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in Durban on Friday, 23 November at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. The film, produced by Anant Singh and Helena Spring is directed by Junaid Ahmed and stars Presley Chweneyagae (Tsotsi) and Wright Ngubeni (Generations).

Told through the stories of five former prisoners, More Than Just A Game follows the story of how political activists who were unjustly imprisoned on Robben Island in the 1960s rise above their incarceration by creating a football league, the Makana Football Association (Makana FA), thereby finding an outlet for their passion and commitment to discipline through football.

Last week, producer Anant Singh pre-screened the film for executives of the world governing body of football in Zurich and met FIFA President, Joseph S. Blatter, who commented, “What happened on Robben Island was a revealing example showing that football is much more than just a game. For the "Freedom fighters", it was about dignity, respect, fun and hope in a space where humanity was surviving in the middle of oppression and infamy. In the world of today so divided and so unfair, football can teach us a lot on the universality and the solidarity embodied in the values and principles of our sport. The docu-drama More Than Just A Game is a beautiful project that FIFA is proud to support."

Producer Anant Singh commented, “We are thrilled to be having the World Premiere of More Than Just A Game as part of the Official Programme of the Preliminary Draw of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in our home town, Durban. More Than Just A Game is a story about human beings trying to succeed against all odds and to survive using football as their inspiration. The film is a tribute to the people on Robben Island who fought for the privilege to play football. We appreciate the support of FIFA and the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee for the opportunity to showcase our film at the Preliminary Draw. The film demonstrates the continent’s love for the game, validating the FIFA World Cup finally coming to Africa in 2010.

Durban will be abuzz with activity from 22 to 25 November with more than 2000 people descending on the city. The film premiere will be attended by the original five Robben Islanders on whom the film is based, i.e. Mark Shinners, Anthony Suze, Lizo Sitoto, Sedick Isaacs and Marcus Solomon, as well as the actors that play them – Presley Chweneyagae, Wright Ngubeni, Az Abrahams, Tshepo Maseko and Merlin Balie. Also in attendance will be soccer legends such as Michel Platini and Franz Beckenbauer as well as representatives of more than 100 football associations and a large contingent of international media.

The film will be released at more than 50 screens nationally in South Africa through United International Pictures (South Africa) in December 2007. The 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first to be staged on African soil, will be held in South Africa from June 11 through July 11.

More Than Just A Game is a Videovision Entertainment production in association with Telkom Media, Filmex (Pty) Ltd, Distant Horizon, and the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa. The film stars Presley Chweneyagae, Wright Ngubeni, Az Abrahams, Tshepo Maseko and Merlin Balie. It is executive produced by Sudhir Pragjee and Sanjeev Singh and produced by Anant Singh and Helena Spring with Chuck Korr, Lord Ted Rowlands, Double Jab Productions and Hannelie Bekker co-producing. The screenplay is by Tom Eaton and it is directed by Junaid Ahmed.