Football Played Everywhere

Ahmed Bemba Marr, Mauritania

Ahmed Bemba Marr, 31, lives with his family in the suburb of Riyad in Nouakchott, Mauritania. He works at the Indian Embassy as an Administrative Clerk and often plays football with his nephews or people on the street. He captured football life in Nouakchott from the streets to the beaches and stadiums.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football journey?

My name is Ahmed Bemba Marr and I am from Nouakchott, Mauritania in Africa. I am 31 years old. I currently live with my family (my mom, little brother, and older brother who is married) in the suburb of Riyad.

My uncle made me love football. He used to take me to his friend's home back in 2001 to watch Real Madrid and Brazil. I grew up being a Ronaldo fan (the Brazilian one). I was so passionate about those teams. I also liked watching Senegal in the 2002 World Cup.

I grew up in Sebkha, a suburb of Nouakchott. I used to play football with my friends on the street. I was a striker just like R9, but since I was quite shy back in those days I did not play for a very long time. I played a lot for a few years, but then would play occasionally with friends at school or in the streets. Now I play football with my nephews or sometimes random people on the streets. Football means a lot to me. I not only play and watch football, but I also love playing video games.

I finished my bachelor degree in Food Science and Technology back in 2018 at ISET (Higher Institute of Technological Education), a government university in the city of Rosso. Since then I have worked at a hotel receptionist, a translator, and at the airport as a back office operator and warehouseman with Lagardère Travel Retail. I currently work at the Indian Embassy in Nouakchott as an Administrative Clerk.

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

The people in the photos are just random people, however I did choose the places on purpose. I took some photos near my house in a vast place, some on the beach, near a school, and in a small place with grass where youngsters would pay money to play. It is like a normal stadium but quite small. That is quite common here now, we call it “Planet Foot”, others call it “Citè”.

I tried to show that football is a national passion and that it is played everywhere - in stadiums, on the streets, near schools, in front of our house, even near some mosques. Almost all children have balls and jerseys as gifts from their parents, they would even ask their parents to buy them. Some form teams. I used to play in a team called “International”.

My favourite photo is the one taken on the beach with a bunch of youngsters playing. I talked to them, they did not know each other. I liked the fact that they were united by a common goal of football, which is their passion. Some of them came there to work out only but ended up playing when they found two friends with a ball.

What impact has playing football had on you?

Playing football expanded my social circle. I used to be very shy, hence the difficulty to be sociable. It helped me to be physically fit, made me feel better after each training or game. I also learnt to manage my time better as I had to come to training on time. I developed patience and resilience as I had to endure physical pain especially when severely tackled as a striker. In short, I just became a better person after experiencing football.

What role does football play in your community and in Mauritania?

Football holds a significant place in both my personal life and within the community of Nouakchott.

Football plays a unifying role in Nouakchott. People of all races and ages gather through a common goal to support their team in the Olympic stadium.

There are even tournaments in schools and universities. When I was studying in the University of Rosso “ISET” we had tournaments. Each major (course) had a team, we would play on the weekends. There are also tournaments in neighborhoods during the holy month of Ramadan.

FIFA's Football For Schools programme in Nouakchott shows how football helps society. This program brings football into schools, helping young people grow and brings the community closer together. It proves the city's commitment to using football for good and making a difference.

In Nouakchott, football is more than just a game. It helps people improve themselves and brings the community together, making life better for everyone. In a nutshell, football is more than just a sport in Mauritania.

What is the future for football in Mauritania? What would you like to change?

The future of football in Mauritania seems promising, marked by significant changes like the FIFA Football For Schools program. VAR has also been introduced in the first division.

Besides, a new Spanish coach has been appointed to the national team, Aritz Lopez Garai. Prior to his role, he managed the under-20 team and guided FC Nouadhibou to their first-ever qualification for the African Champions League. His appointment is a smart decision to improve the national team's performance in future tournaments.

Additionally, major infrastructure projects are shaping the future of football in Mauritania. The expansion of Stadium Cheikh Boidya from 8,000 to 16,000 seats, the construction of the Nouadhibou Stadium, and the FIFA Talent Academy are key stepping stones toward the sport’s development in the country.

Another important development is the appointment of Ahmed Yahya, president of the Mauritanian Football Federation, as a FIFA adviser. His new role could help boost the country's football by attracting international support, improving infrastructure, and strengthening youth development programs. His influence may also open doors for local players and clubs to gain more visibility and opportunities abroad.

Although football is heading in the right direction, some changes are still needed. I would propose building more stadiums, both in Nouakchott and other cities. The salaries should also increase for first and second division players. Most players are poorly paid and lack access to full health insurance, many have to cover their medical expenses out of pocket. Only a few teams, such as FC Nouadhibou, offer good salaries.

The selection process for the national team must be more meritocratic. Sometimes, foreign-based players are preferred over local talents, and the choice is not always based on skill.

Finally, the visibility of the Mauritanian championship must improve. Many players struggle to find good teams abroad due to the lack of exposure.

What ambitions do you have for the future?

For the future, I intend to sponsor teams starting in my neighborhood and help organise tournaments like the one in the month of Ramadan. I want to build a small stadium like the “Planet Foot”, and rent it cheaply to allow people who do not have means to experience better quality of football. I will also buy jerseys for people who are in need.