Ivory Coast's young exploited footballers - 12 Sep 07

Thousands of boys in Africa dream of being the next Samuel Eto or Didier Drogba. Their goal is to play their favourite game and escape a life of poverty. Many families are willing to pay agents a small fortune in the hope their sons can join a European club - but their dreams are more likely to be exploited than realised. Al Jazeera's West Africa correspondent Gabi Menezes reports.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Ivory
• Coast
• exploited
• footballers

[Kirbytime]

So sad that someone would prey on the dreams of children.

[Turmoyl]

I would love to be in a position to help these guys realise their dream. Honestly.

I think sport - football in particular - is one of the ways to help Africa step away from the mass state of poverty. Think about it...if more African boys were emerging as superstars, it could lead to better facilities in Africa for them, slowly but surely bringing revenue and jobs, and eventually reducing poverty.

A dream perhaps, but...not altogether unrealistic....is it?

[WoWHaZ51]

Somebody sign them up! :D

[elsalvadorplaya]

It seems like they want to make a big impact so quickly. They should go to weak leagues first like MLS, Leagues in Asia. And if their good enough than they can go to Europe. Why rush when they can make some money in these leagues and help these leagues to become more popular. These kids should try out the MLS or Asian leagues to improve the league and then go to Europe once they see how easy these leagues are. Overall I hope their dreams come true

[Turmoyl]

@ShnuckFuckle yeah. smaller clubs tend to scout local youth tournaments. i was playing in one for my youth team.

[ShnuckFuckle]

@Turmoyl thats sick man how you get into them? swear they are in league one now?! did you get scouted whilst playing for a random club?

[Turmoyl]

@ShnuckFuckle walsall town fc

[ShnuckFuckle]

@Turmoyl wat academy you play for ?

[Turmoyl]

@ShnuckFuckle acl, meniscus and patella damage on my left knee. im a former youth academy footballer but i coach under 12s now.

[ShnuckFuckle]

@Turmoyl im sorry to hear that, what happened? and for what sport?

[Turmoyl]

@ShnuckFuckle sounds like you are. its easy to say "if you really wanted it" but nothing is ever that simple. i spent the last five years trying to recover from a career ending injury. now if there was a way for me to save my career, i like to think i would have found it.