Makana F.A.

Makana Football Association was a sporting body formed by political prisoners on Robben Island, South Africa who organised football leagues for fellow inmates.[1] Formed in 1966, the association ran a league until 1973, adhering strictly to the Laws of the Game,[2] the FIFA rulebook being one of the few books in the prison library.[3] It was named after the 19th century Xhosa warrior-prophet Makana, who was himself imprisoned on Robben Island.[4]

Prior to this, the game had been banned by the prison authorities, but starting in December 1964, prisoners took it turns to "...request to be allowed to play football" every Saturday.[3] At one point the F.A. was running three leagues, with teams from nine clubs competing.[5] The organisation crossed the political divides in the prison, between the ANC and the PAC, with over half of the inmates involved in the leagues.[5] A small group of prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and Ahmed Kathrada were, however, barred from participating in or even watching the matches.[6]

The Makana F.A. was given honorary membership of FIFA in 2007,[7] and in the same year a film was made telling the story of the F.A., entitled More Than Just a Game.[6] Former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, was a Makana F.A. referee.[2] Others involved in the F.A.'s organisation included Steve Tshwete, Dikgang Moseneke, and Tokyo Sexwale.[2][5]

References
  1. "Tokyo Sexwale: Football kept us alive". FIFA. 18 July 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  2. "Fifa gives Zuma his ref's certificate". SouthAfrica.info. 30 June 2009. Archived from the original on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  3. Ticher, Mike (February 2009). "BOOK REVIEWS:General:More Than Just A Game". When Saturday Comes. Archived from the original on 7 October 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  4. "Origins of Tournament in an Infamous Prison". The New York Times. 5 July 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  5. Stocks, Chris (16 October 2008). "On the football pitch we were free". Metro (UK). Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  6. "Football 'more than just a game'". SouthAfrica.info. 26 November 2007. Archived from the original on 22 October 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  7. "Prison soccer league in spotlight on Mandela birthday". Reuters. 18 July 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2009.


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