A lot has changed in Nakuru over time and things are no longer the way they were when we were growing up in Nakuru estates.
Most of the stuff we used to do are no longer there, including the rules of gaming and playing soccer.
Here are some of the rules that applied during our childhood soccer games.
1. The fat boy was always the goalkeeper since he could not run around chasing the ball. We called them 'Kanono Maguta'.
2. There was no rule of numbers. As long as one could get a partner to join the other side they were fit to participate. Even if the game was crowded.
3. The owner of the ball made the decisions, decided who will not play and who will. His enemies would suffer before being allowed to play.
4. No hitting the ball using the front of your feet otherwise known as 'kundwale' as this would make the 'Makanye' (ball made of paper and ropes) wear out faster.
5. If the goalkeeper could not get to a high ball with his fingers stretched, then that was not a goal but instead a high ball, even if it would have been a goal in professional soccer.
6. The people on the touchline bore the burden of fetching the ball when kicked into the bushes and culverts to impress the owner and be allowed to play.
7. A mistake of humiliating the owner of the ball in the pitch would result to one being sent off. Therefore, one had to instead let them be the humiliating party.
8. The match ended when the players got tired and not when the time ran out. This happened at around lunchtime and nightfall as players retired to their homes.
#hivisasaoriginal