Kelly Youga was born in Central African Republic he left in 2004 to join the French club Olympique Lyon, and has played two international matches for his country. As tension between Christian and Muslim militias in the Central African Republic continues, Youga has pleaded for calm. Now for those who don’t know the current situation in CAR, there’s been an ethnic cleansing of the minority Muslims since the conflict began in 2012. Youga believes there needs to be unity among the different religions in CAR and that there needs to better role models for the next generation. He says “Football is like the opium of the people. When we play at home there’s no division – Muslim, Christian, different tribes they are all together to support the team”…And even the national team, we all come from different ethnic groups and we are all together, we are all brothers. Between us there is no division, we are all walking on the same path. And I really do think that football can help bring peace to the country”. I find this really intriguing as it relates with my previous article about the West Bank. As a professional soccer player and coming from a country with conflict Youga believes soccer can bring peace. In my last article i asked if soccer can bring peace not only in the West Bank but in other countries as well and Youga believes so. But the question is how would soccer be implemented in a country in a middle of a conflict?
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25766861