They came out in large numbers to see the game. It was contested between two teams from another section of the North West District, one of which knocked their home team out of the Digicel 2016 football championships, days earlier. The presence of dozens of hands along the fence of the Santa Rosa Recreational Ground that afternoon told the tale of Moruca’s passion for football.

Football is a sport which is keenly contested in most Hinterland communities. The game appeals to almost every generation in each community and the presence of cable television in those remote areas has impacted the game’s futuristic presence in every community.
Moruca is no exception. During the week of July 14 last, the mood in the community was buzzing and the residents were out in their numbers as the 16:00 hrs match-time between two teams, the Hosororo Primary and the North West Secondary, neared. The winner would hold the bragging rights of being the Region One champion.
The North West Secondary boys defeated the home team earlier that week, and there was no telling of who Moruca was supporting. When the referee whistled the start of the game, they shouted at almost every move the Hosororo players made.

But that is the passion of the community where football is concerned. Almost every vehicle within Moruca lined the roadway outside the venue, residents were seated at the pavilion opposite the ground in large numbers and the seats below the Kumaka Guest House, which is located on the periphery of the venue, was filled to capacity.
Several children sat atop a water trestle to obtain a better view of the proceedings. The verandah outside a home opposite the ground lacked space for another face.
“This is Moruca and we like our football,” said Bar-B-Que vendor Margaret Abraham. She is one of many who capitalise on such activities whenever they are taken to Moruca. She turned her chicken as she spoke on the subject. She said that the sport brings out the best of the area. During the earlier stage of the tournament, many ventured into Santa Rosa from near and far, as distant as Waramuri, a riverine community located miles downriver and which is also accessible by road.
“This is the time that is usually good,” Aunty Maggie, as she is fondly called, said as she chatted about business. Her Bar-B- Que chicken combos with fried rice, cook-up and to a lesser extent chowmein, usually sells out on any given weekend night.
During the week, her foods are also on demand but it is the hosting of activities in the community which draws foodies to her stand.

Across the road from Margaret are several shops with bars. Residents and visitors also flock these venues during the hosting of popular events. The Kumaka Waterfront is also usually busy in the aftermath of football matches, and win or lose, opinions or comments are usually the talk of the night at the popular hangout spots there.
According to one resident, the annual Moruca Expo brings out the best in the hospitality of the residents. He said the event attracts hundreds of visitors, who venture into the community from various parts of the North West District and the Coastland, including Georgetown.
But it is football which keeps the crowd alive. Several match-ups are carded annually as part of the exposition. When the game is contested on the Santa Rosa ground, the residents voice their support, concerns, advice and even temper when the ball gets rolling, or kicking.
The highlights of those features are the monetary prizes for which the teams compete. And this year the stakes are high. While someone will walk-away a winner, it is the residents who win the ultimate prize for crowd support. “Nothing can compete with football here,” said Margaret’s customer, as she wolfed down her cook-up rice.