As I stroll along one of the streets in Kampala one evening, I look closely at what literature could keep my month worth remembering. I have no history of covering big volumes of novels or books, though could probably risk now.
I barely search for answers elsewhere other than Internet but today may be that one lucky day for an author out there. I have spent ages cooped up, experiencing life in my own perspective but then, a chance to view from somebody else’s is here.
When I stretch out to quench my reading thirst stopping close, I remember how time has failed to make allies. How work will confound me for the next many days. I contemplate how I will benefit from this street side literature.
I prefer keeping in the know of native people and what happens in my country more other than that extraneous lot on display. I finally make up my mind to pick the late edition of my favorite news paper and head home.
That could be my mind dialogue, the typical Ugandan. However, dream up a possibility. Supposing my vehemence had been satisfied with lets say a memoir, ‘The trials and tribulations of Captain Andrew Mwesigwa’.
How much is to gain from that collection of written individual moments and events, both public or private probably accounting for the Cranes captain proprietorship since joining Sports Club Villa in 2002, leaving for Iceland’s IBV Vestmannaeyjar in 2006 till 2011 at FC Ordabasy, Kazakhstan.
In the first place, most authors tend to write with a main goal of obtaining promising returns on investment. They make the memoir- autobiography work business oriented which should arguably be the motive behind for the efforts.
When the copy is an overwhelming success, one has achieved.However, they’re always overlooked benefits from documenting for the world the chronology of life events and experience obtained from unfamiliar places or situations.
Malcolm X
Malcolm X (Malcolm Little), a renowned human rights activist was born on May 19, 1925 and was assassinated in 1965. His legacy has now lasted 49 years. His autobiography, a collaboration of him and journalist Alex Hayley was published in 1965 and since then, his efforts and contribution are still alive to the public.
Bookshops, shelves, libraries, and the internet all present his experiences and life events in his own perception. Ugandan sports men ought to always be challenged to pick a leaf from this and keep their images vivid in the nations memory.
Sir Alex Ferguson
Former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson had his second autobiography published on 30th October 2013 by Hodder and Stoughton. It covered the period from 2000 to 2013.
In that particular book, the Scott addressed his falling-out with David Beckham following United’s FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in 2003. “As usual, with David at that time, he was dismissive of my criticism,” wrote Ferguson.
“He was around 12 feet from me. David swore. I moved towards him, and as i approached I kicked a boot. It hit him right above the eye. He rose to have a go at me and the players stopped him. ‘Sit down’ I said. ‘ You’ve let you team down. You can argue as much as you like.’ I called him the next day to go through the video and he still would not accept his mistake. The next day the story was in the press. It was those days that I told the board David had to go.”
From that extract, readers walk, so to speak, in the shoes of Ferguson and come to understand his motivations and behavior unlike before. This can also clear the air for Ugandan Sports personalities, who have been branded unworthy of particular honours or positions.
Roy Keane
The former Manchester United defensive Midfielder, now Aston Villa assistant manager released the second part of his autobiography The Second Half in October 2014, ghost written by Roddy Doyle.
In the content, Keane described his alcohol-fueled fight with United goal keeper Peter Schmeichel on a pre- season tour of Asia in 1998. Keane was so drunk that he had to rely on teammate Nicky Butt to recount to him what exactly had happened the following morning.
“The’re had been a little tension between us over the years, for football reasons. Peter would come out shouting at players, and I felt sometimes he was playing to the crowd, ‘Look at me!’ He was probably doing it for concentration levels, but I felt he did it too often, as if he was telling the crowd, ‘Look what I have to deal with.’ He said, ‘I’ve had enough of you. It’s time we sorted this out.’ So I said ‘OK,’ and we had a fight.
It felt like 10 minutes. There was a lot of noise – Peter’s a big lad. I woke up the next morning. I kind of vaguely remembered the fight. My hand was sore and one of my fingers was bent backwards…. Butty (Nicky Butt) had refereed the fight. Anyway, Peter had grabbed, I’d head-butted him- we had been fighting for ages.”
With this life review, Keane opens the door to reconcile open issues from his past, and also summons himself to develop more self-discipline in his life. He relives his past and he puts aside the nagging doubts about his own self worth. He improves his self awareness and understanding of himself by reflecting on his past, that’s reminds him of his purpose in life. How best can our local sports personalities become better people other than taking the same route!