Cameroon player talks out for peace not violence
Posted by Cameroon - 12/06/2007
Luc Ko’o Toukoum could easily pass for a middleweight boxer in structure his game of choice is football and when he hits the ball, the strike is like a sledge hammer hitting a nail.
He says that his choice star is Chelsea’s ace defender, Michael Essein.They very much look a like in body structure and play style. The only difference is that Essein is gaining fame and money playing for a dollar studded team in Britain while Toukoum is roaming the Streets of Douala-Cameroon.
Selected to represent Cameroon for the first time at the Homeless World Cup Luc Toukoum says the Homeless World Cup game combines tactical, psychological and physical engagement and commends the initiators of the game.
He speaks out about his dread of violence. “How can people shoot others with guns like animals that we hunt here?” The 19 year old says that the upsurge of banditry is due to the absence of jobs because “those in authority are doing nothing” and called for a place where every one will have a job and live in peace.
Luc Ko’o Toukoum was interviewed by Aaron Agien Nyangkwe in Douala-Cameroon:
Aaron Agien Nyangkwe: What is Sport to you?
Luc Ko’o Toukoum: You see, when you are somebody like me who has nothing to do as a job, sport is the only resort. It is something good to me.
Aaron Agien Nyangkwe: How do you find the way street soccer the way is practised at the Homeless World Cup?
Luc Ko’o Toukoum: At first, it appeared to be a child play, but it is a pretty good game. The most interesting thing in the game is that it combines tactical, psychological and physical engagement. At first, the game looks like child play as I said earlier, but when you are engaged in the 7 minute tussle, at the end, you look worn out like some one who has played 90 minutes ordinary soccer. The people behind the idea leading to this game are great people.
Aaron Agien Nyangkwe: How do you feel being selected to play for the ASAFE Camaroes Team?
Luc Ko’o Toukoum: I am very happy because this will enable me board the plane for the first time and represent my country in a world tournament. I was not expecting this wonderful thing. I expect our team to win the Cup.
Aaron Agien Nyangkwe: What is that thing that strikes you most in your life?
Luc Ko’o Toukoum: (Thinks) Football
Aaron Agien Nyangkwe: Why football?
Luc Ko’o Toukoum: There is no difference between a star white player and a star black player. In football, they pay you according to your talent, not colour. A player like Didier Drogba earns more than many white player, you see what I mean?.
Aaron Agien Nyangkwe: Who is your preferred star? Luc Ko’o Toukoum: (Without wasting a second) Michael Essien, because this boy combines stamina, speed and discipline. His physical prowess is what I have been very keen at watching and emulating.
Aaron Agien Nyangkwe: Who is your most admired person?
Luc Ko’o Toukoum: My elder brother, Michel Beyiha, because he is the only one that gives me some support.
Aaron Agien Nyangkwe: Which is that thing that worries you most in the world?
Luc Ko’o Toukoum: Peace, because I believe that people are not doing enough for there to be peace in the world. All wars must be stopped. How can people take guns and be shooting other people as if they were animals that we hunt in our bush here.
Aaron Agien Nyangkwe: Which is the most striking moment in your life?
Luc Ko’o Toukoum: The first time I saw my grand father, I was very happy. Unfortunately, he is not alive anymore.
Aaron Agien Nyangkwe: Which is the worst moment in your life?
Luc Ko’o Toukoum: The day I stopped going to school for lack of means. I was in form 3 in Secondary school. I thought that my world has come to an end. I believe that if I were still in school, some one would have discovered me like they did to Samurel Eto’o (of F.C Barcelona) Aaron Agien Nyangkwe: What can you change in your environment if you are given the means?
Luc Ko’o Toukoum: Banditry. (Pauses) You see, most of the boys like me walking the street resort to banditry because of no job and authorities are doing nothing. (Luc Ko’o Toukoum is not a bandit) You see, there is rampant poverty in Cameroon.
Aaron Agien Nyangkwe: What are your ambitions in life?
Luc Ko’o Toukoum: Become a great player like my idol, Michael Essien.
