Final project: Oral History

Oral History: Interview and Analysis

The following is an interview with a football player.

Abdul Rahman Abdullah, 1962: Assumed Name

Interview

Q1:      When was the first time you started playing?

When I was 6 years old, my father gave me my first football. I started playing in the backyard of my home with my neighbors. The interest for football grew with my age and it became my life.

Q2:      What challenges did you face in your personal life to become a professional player?

At that point of time, we never had media so that we could have awareness and resources about the events. My family members were also against making football as a profession. I used to give trials without their knowledge in local stadiums. I got selected, and it was then hard to make them agree. But somehow, I succeeded.

Q3:      What is the most memorable moment of your life?

It was the time back in 1978; I was returning home from the ground. We didn’t have phone in our house so, the man from the local club, for which I used to play came to my home and gave me news that I have been selected in the junior National team. I couldn’t believe it for some time. At that first moment, I thanked God for this wonderful opportunity. I was now more confident.

Q4:      How did you feel about playing for one first time at the international level?

I was speechless. When it’s your first game, you just want to thank everybody who has come across your life to give you this wonderful opportunity.

Q5:      What professional challenges did you face while playing for the team?

We were not a strong team on the field for our opponents. We faced many losses in earlier times of our play. The first time we won in Asia Cup against India. Then we never looked back.

Q6:      How was your experience with your mates?

They were good support. They always made you learn and gave you guidance, so yes all these years of my career I had mentors in my teams to guide me.

Q7:      If not a football player then what would you have been ?

It’s hard to imagine for me other than football still today. It is like I was always devoted to the game and would probably be nothing without it.

Q8:      Any other interest?

            Since I am a sports person, I always have an interest in the athletics. I love to watch them.

Q9:      Tips for youngsters?

I would like to say that youngsters  of this generation must always be devoted to their goal. Today the scenario has changed and there are much more sources to go ahead with. It is simple, just have the devotion and hard work and let your dream become your aim.

Q10:    Idea for improving quality of football?

The government should introduce the programs in school so that the children from very early of their life get exposed to the world which they are going to have in their future. Guidance and resources combined can improve the future of our nation’s football team.

Analysis

Emirati Football has seen a struggling era ever since it has been on the international level. Earlier the resources which players had, like the field, coaches etc. were not like modern day. They had to struggle more and the communication and awareness was also some of the major issues. The team had to suffer many losses at their initial stage of international appearances. As time passed by,the team had winning experiences in tournaments like Asian Cup in 1982. The team qualified for the FIFA events in 1984 for the first time. Ever since then, the team has been playing average, but not satisfactorily. According to the players from the initial era of Emirati football, the youngsters should focus more and work harder. The government and the organizers must also take the responsibility to make the game an enthusiasm in the youngsters. Organizing more tournaments with more teams can bring a lot more competition. The exposure to the players of the toughest playing experience is necessary, and only it can raise the quality. The combined efforts from both can lead to the raised quality of one team.

The coaching staff, physiotherapists of the team and the managing staff needs to work more upon the disciplined schedules and tournaments leading to exposure must be organized more. The experience of playing, whether it is a win or a loss, certainly raises the experience of each player of the team. Thus an integrated  approach can make the sport more popular and the quality which everyone thinks of in the team, can be achieved, making the team better.