CAN something as small as a ball and a good game of football or cricket really change someone’s life? Many of Tucber’s young men say yes, asserting that sports can transform lives and create better futures.
Rudolph Caesar of Tucber believes that for lost young men, a game is all they need to change the trajectory of their lives.

The Pepperpot Magazine met with the seasoned football player at his Tucber home. After his family moved to the community when he was only nine years old, Rudolph now calls Tucber home and has become a notable part of the community.

Throughout the years, he says the village has seen tremendous changes in various aspects and across different sectors. This transformation has been so significant that the village no longer resembles the Tucber of years past. As he stated, “I have lived in Tucber for about 40 years. I came here before I was 10. The community has seen a lot of improvement. The community didn’t even use to look like what it looks like today. We used to do a lot of self-help. And when we were small, we would run around in the village, fishing and all kinds of things.”

During these early years in Tucber, Rudolph learned to play football and soon fell in love with the beautiful game. The feeling on the field is unlike any other.. As he stated, “I started playing football when I came to Tucber when I was nine. I was small, and the older brothers used to play. I eventually started to play with them, and I learned.”

Since his first game at nine, Rudolph has continued to play and has even gone on to represent the village nationally. He shared, “I learned fast. I played under 10. And then under 15 and New Amsterdam.” But the highlight of Rudolph’s career came when he represented Guyana internationally. He said, “I went on to represent Guyana at the national level for a few years in 1985.”

Rudolph stated that initially, he was skeptical about playing football professionally. However, he was encouraged by his family and friends to pursue the sport and continues to play today. As he stated, “I had older twin brothers that played and they encouraged me after they saw I was a good player. People from the community supported me, and we in Tucber had our own team.”

Rudolph said that sports of any nature are a vital part of life in Tucber. He explained that football is more than a game. It tests players’ physical and mental strength, pushing hyperactive young men to learn focus and patience on the field.

This positive impact of sports on the mind and body is why Rudolph advocates for young men in sports clubs. Although the community is known for its affinity to football, games like cricket are also played and are equally popular. Rudolph is still playing at 58 years old. His last time on the field was just a year ago. Rudolph says one of the many reasons he has continued to play is that he can still keep up with the team, even as he approaches 60. He shared, “I still play. It keeps me in shape. The last time I played was last year when the community had a game.”

If not for his early years in the sport, he would not have the lifestyle he has today. Rudolph explained that most of his days begin with long walks and jogging around the community. He is not a fan of the sedentary lifestyle and always gets a few minutes of exercise daily because, as he puts it, a healthy body helps shape a healthy mind. As he explained, “Every morning, I wake up and exercise, I go out, and I walk and jog around the community. When I exercise, it opens my mind and keeps me connected.”

Football has become traditional, with most of the village’s young people out and about with sport almost every afternoon. Rudolph says he is happy to see this growing trend in his hometown and hopes to see it continue. As he stated, “We have a lot of young people that still play, especially in the afternoon. It has a lot of benefits. It keeps them away from drugs and keeps their mind active and away from other things.”

Although football and sports are a big part of Tucber, some villagers feel that more could be done. Rudolph is part of a group that is now working towards reigniting the village’s professional teams. As Rudolph stated, “Right now, we are trying to help the team with things like sports gear. We are getting support for the Tucber Football Team. We are working to get the field in order so that the team can go out again.”