I-COAST: FIFA World Cup Trophy Displayed at State House

Ivorians spent a memorable weekend, when on its way to South Africa the FIFA World Cup Trophy was displayed in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan, in the State House, on Friday 16 October and the next day in ‘Palais de la Culture’ Conference Hall.

On Thursday, the State-run TV station, RTI called on Ivorians to line the streets to welcome the trophy to Abidjan. When granted an interview by the national Radio channel the same day, the President of the national football association, Jacques Anouma said he was happy that FIFA gave such an opportunity to many Ivorians to see the trophy a few days after the Elephants qualified for their second World Cup tournament following a 1-1 draw with Malawi.
In the state House, President Gbagbo was the only person allowed to touch the FIFA soccer World Cup trophy, ‘Let’s pray for our national football team, the Elephants, they must struggle hard to bring back this trophy, so as to give the opportunity to many persons to touch it’, the President said before the Minister of sport, the officials of the Ivorian Football Association, and sports journalists marvelled at the coveted 18-carat gold trophy.
The many citizens who were called on to line the streets to welcome the trophy were denied access to the state house where the Cup was displayed the first day, but the next day, they took advantage of the public exposition at Palais de la Culture Conference Hall to see the Cup.
More and more Ivorians dream of the soccer’s most treasured golden silverware and Drogba Didier has become something like a talisman which will help bring the trophy back in Abidjan for a cheerful and most memorable celebration.

Populations celebrate 2009 Champions’ League Trophy with Toure Yaya

The international football player, Toure Yaya Gnegneri, defender of FC Barcelona, got a tremendous welcome at airport “Felix Houphouet Boigny” in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Monday June 1st 2009. He has come back home to present the 2009 Champions’ League trophy.

The Ivorian Minister of Sports, Dagobert Banzio, authorities of the football federation, Family Toure and fans gathered in the airport to celebrate the come back of the son prodigy Toure Yaya Gnegneri, who has decided to fly back to his home country to present the 2009 Champions’ League Trophy to the population. The big road that goes from Airport “Felix Houphouet Boigny”, in Port Bouët Disctrict to the private home of the President Gbagbo in Cocody District was crowded with young people celebrating the football hero and the 2009 Champions’ League trophy. A reception was hold at the private home of the Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo in honour of Toure Yaya Gnegneri. “I dedicate this trophy to the populations living in Côte d’Ivoire. I am glad to know that this trophy brings you a great joy. I invite politicians, decision makers, religious leaders and any person living in this country to give peace a chance in order to bring more joy in the heart of Ivorians” has said the national football hero.

Selay M.K.

Ivory Coast: Magic System for children Schooling

World renowned music group “MAGIC SYSTEM” formed by four youngsters (Asalfo, Goudé, Tino and Manadja) from Abidjan’s rough-and-ready Marcory district granted audience to me over the weekend, on the 2nd edition of FEMUA (Festival des Musiques Urbaines d’Anoumanbo), an international music festival organized by the band on April 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th 2009 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Asalfo and the band, now known as Magic System, author, of the title track “Premier Gaou”, sold worldwide, have come back to Anoumambo, the slum where they grew up. They have opened a primary school in order to fight against illiteracy and help poor parents send their offspring to school. They also have organized FEMUA, an international music festival, in order to raise fund to help local populations. Today, MAGIC SYSTEM is known worldwide, its members are rich, popular and powerful, but they have kept links with their home town. Asalfo, the lead singer of the band has opened up to me. Excerpts of his interview below:

Selay: What’s your message for ivorian and global youth?

Asalfo: I have a message of hope for younger generations, it’s important to follow the example of those who work hard to make their dream come true. They must think creatively, plan, adjust and persevere to succeed. Today, we’re offering a primary school as a gift to Anoumambo dwellers, we’re proud to do that because we know local populations need such facilities. It’s then a great honor for us to lead this project to its end. I hope this festival will drag on and will attract more and more participants from every corner of the world as other international festivals.

Selay : You’ve just offered a primary school to Anoumambo dwellers to raise awareness on schooling issue, but today few are those kids in Anoumambo who would like to continue to go to school, most of them want to do music now. Do you have a particular message for all those kids and young singers that are here today at FEMUA? Do you have any project for them?

Asalfo: Well, if they have to make a choice between money and school, I would advise them to choose school. Even I and my fellow magicians (other members of the band) are successful music singers today because we attended school, and what we learned at school has served, it has opened many doors in the field of music indeed. They must also keep in mind that it is not easy to succeed in the field of music: only 10 or 15% can succeed. But those people interested in music career must not fold arms and quit, they must work hard to achieve their goal.

For more about MAGIC SYSTEM, visit: www.magic-system.fr

Selay M.K.