Dear Forumites:
My name is Lumumba Shabazz aka truthseeker.
I am currently writing a book called Make The Ball Happy and would like if you would all sumbit inspirational soccer stories for possible publication. This book will be geared towards the high school/college bound soccer player and it will featured inspirational and motivational stories about people's experiences, about how they overcame adversity, obstacles and challenges. It could be stories about your most memorable experiences... your first ball, cleats etc... Btw, the first bal i ever got was a gift from my mom oin the US and it was an orange and black ball that I used to clean after every practice and put in the bed next to me. lol
It could be about your most embarrassing moment on the field and how you became stronger because of it.. The story must give hope; it must inspire and it generally should be the kind that others may get goose bumps from after reading it.
An example of such may be my own career. I started off as a U16 southern midfielder in T&T before being picked for national selection along with Ivan Sampson and young Nevinson (GK) in South. At trials, i am certain that I was the poorest youth there, lunch in a brown paper bag (bake and cheese and lime juice) and I had to endure a 2 hour wait to borrow a pair of boots from a rich partner who left me waiting outside while he thought about lending me the shoes.
At the trials, all of the Naps, benedicts boys were all in matching tracksuits talking about the camps they attended in Europe weeks before, and i sat there thinking that my camp was small goal on de hill in Claxton Bay. My uniform was bad case of color coordination.. blue and red socks, green shirt and yellow pants (a true kalediscope). I must have been a sight to behold.
The trials were slated to begin at 9am in Skinner Park but started at 1pm, and before the players even took the field, the selectors had their team chosen already. i lacked both name and pedigree.
And did not play on the kind of school team that would have given me any sort of leverage.
In fact, 10 minutes before the sweat ended, I was still there lingering on the sidelines. it was not until a coach pointed out that I didn't play yet that I was given a run on the field. Most expected that i couldn't play so when i started to win tackles like crazy across the midfield and started linking well with sampson that i was duly recognised.......... (and on and on)
Forunites, my story takes many different twists and curves and obstacles at this point, all of which I overcame, and the end result is the person i am today. This is the type of story i am looking for. stories of encouragement, hope, faith, love of the game, heartbreak moments etc... But please be original and authentic. And remember this is geared towards the 14 to 18 age group.
If you are interested in writing a story, please drop me an email at Shabazzsoccer@gmail.com. The book will be self published with possible pickup by a major house depending on initial sales. And if your story is chosen, i will ask for your permission to publish it.
I know many people in here have stories to tell of themselves or maybe those that they may have heard. send me an email and I will send you the info and instructions.
Blessings and thanks
truthseeker
PS: even Assnal and Chelski men can apply
Shabazzsoccer@gmail.com/Shabazzsoccer.com
