Warriors Who Bring Hope

The Electric New Paper in Singapore has published an article about Nova Certeza FC, a soccer team that participated in IPSF 2005.

Providing inspiration and an example for all athletes, they have continued to spread their message of peace through sports by traveling to such places as Sydney, Canberra, and Tasmania, where they helped to clean mosques and played in various friendly games against local teams.

According to their coach Azhar Jamil, their aim is “to go to countries, see their racial and political issues, and promote hope and peace through playing football

WARRIORS WHO BRING HOPE
By Ashikin Hashim
March 31, 2007

 MOST amateur footballers limit their weekends to mandatory kickabouts on the pitch. Others organise unusual activities off it. Like Nova Certeza FC, whose name stands for 'New Hope' in Spanish. While they may not be made up of er, Spaniards, the name does exemplify what they do best. That is, going the extra mile to promote the message of peace through football. And they don't just stop along Singapore's shores.

They've even travelled to Australia to work those legs for a good cause. Made up officially of 40 players - 20 of whom are regulars - these guys range from 18 to 30 years of age. The team started in 1998, when many of the players met while studying in polytechnic. Back then, they were known as 'Mountbatten FC', after the community centre of the same name. Later, the group became independent and the name Nova Certeza was coined. 'We pick players who show promise in studies or all that they do. We also didn't want to play football without having a purpose,' explained team coach Azhar Jamil, 26, an air steward with Singapore Airlines. 'Our aim was to go to countries, see their racial and political issues, and promote hope and peace through playing football.'

For sure, they practise what they preach. In June last year, while most Singaporeans were immersed in the furore of the World Cup Finals, these guys put on their boots to play friendly matches in Australia. 'It was really fun. We simply couldn't sit still and watch teams playing in Germany. We wanted to play the game, too,' recalled Azhar eagerly. Partially sponsored by the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace (IIFWP), the 10-day trip saw the guys playing in places like Sydney, Canberra, Perth and Tasmania. There, they helped to clean mosques and played in various friendlies against teams from the University of Western Australia and Burwood Football Club.

FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE

'Even though we lost some of the matches, it was a fantastic experience to be able to play against teams with different religious backgrounds,' recalled Azhar. Certainly, their actions even caught the attention of Gary Humphries, senator for the Australian Capital Territory, whom they met when they visited Parliament House. 'He knew about what we had done, like appealing for clothing donations and cleaning the mosque. He was impressed,' declared Azhar. In addition, Nova Certeza even had some media coverage of their efforts. They have appeared several times on local television channel Suria because of their deeds.

And while the team is predominantly made up of Malays, they do have two Chinese players. One of them, Aaron Huang, 26, a retail manager, has even learnt to speak Malay. 'To be honest, it's not about our ethnicities. We're all bonded by a common goal - which is to help the less fortunate and play football. Peace is a universal language,' Huang said. In Singapore, they have organised a five-day programme for the Muhammadiyah Welfare Home that houses orphans and neglected children. Besides cleaning up the home, the players also scheduled excursions for the less-fortunate children to places like the Istana. The highlight of the five-day line-up was a match against the Malaysian Hindu Soccer Team on the final day, with whom they drew 2-2. Said Mohd Ashraf Hamzah, 25, a process technician: 'The experience of playing with this team has been fantastic. 'It's good fun and, on top of that, we help to serve our community better.'

Yes, their quest to spread peace and love through football has sent them globe-trotting. In South Korea, they once pit their skills against a local side of social football players who were Buddhists. They won the match 7-0. Last weekend, they headed to Kuala Lumpur to play against a team from the Universiti Technologi Mara and Pemuda Shah Alam. 'Again, we wanted to forge new bonds with people of different nationalities,' said Ashraf. And, of course, like the Nova Certeza peace-loving warriors that they are, football was not the only activity they had lined up. They also paid a visit to the Sri Ramakrishnhha orphanage in Malaysia, spring-cleaning and organising activities for the children. But many will wonder how these warriors can afford to devote both their time and money to such causes. Many of Nova Certeza's players are still in school, while others have hectic work commitments. Yet, they have travelled four times in the past year.

HUMANITARIAN WARRIORS

'We try to make time whenever we can,' said Shamirza Khalik, 27, the team's manager and an operations assistant. 'And if you're wondering where the money comes from, many of us feel inclined to help those who are not as fortunate as us. 'We try our best to pay for the trips. For orphans with no decent place to live in, we bring them hope and joy just by coming to visit with gifts.' When The New Paper caught up with the team for an interview last week, the weather had taken a turn for the worst. The entire squad had assembled at Temasek Polytechnic's pitch to train, prior to their departure to Malaysia the next day. The rain fell mercilessly, but training resumed, with a 10-a-side match and running drills. Slippery conditions ruled, but the players played on. 'Rain or shine, we're here to play football, to prepare for our next trip and help the community there,' said Azhar. And Malaysia isn't the only country that'll be seeing more of these guys.

Nova Certeza are planning a trip to Amsterdam, Holland, and the United Kingdom in June next year, to promote peace through football. Currently, they are on the lookout for sponsors, but maintained that the bulk of funds will come straight from their own pockets. And while Euro 2008 will be taking place in Austria and Switzerland around that time, Nova Certeza will be give 'New Hope' elsewhere, through their distinct brand of 'humanitarian grassroots' football.