DAKAR, Senegal - On an early Tuesday morning, Soldiers from two nations walk on to a dirt field and start warming up. They work on the same base each day and see each other in passing, but today they will spend the morning's physical training hours engaged in a Senegalese pastime: soccer.
The 21st Theater Sustainment Command's Regional Support Element-United Assistance liaison team coordinated a soccer game between U.S. and Senegalese service members Nov. 25 at Camp Cisse.
Capt. Clay M. Johnson, an RSE-UA liaison officer and a native of Aynor, South Carolina, conducted personal physical training around the camp and noticed the Senegalese soldiers playing soccer one day. After several days, he asked if the Senegalese would be interested in playing against their U.S. neighbors. They accepted.
"Enjoying friendly sports like this is excellent for team building and improving partnership between our two nations," Johnson said. "The Senegalese are very excited about playing with us, and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves."
The two nations played two 20-minute games against each other. Both teams played extremely well and attempts to score were made on both sides. At the end of each game, however, the score still stood at nil-nil.
A decision was made for a third game in which the teams would consist of service members from both nations. The teams were divided between players with reflective yellow physical training belts and those without. For the first five minutes of the multinational game it seemed there would be a repeat of the first two. Then, at the seven-minute mark, a Senegalese soldier on the PT belt team gave a swift kick and scored.
"It was really fun playing against the Senegalese, but it's been more fun combining the teams," said Spc. Jason Suske, a supply specialist assigned to the 227th Quartermaster Company, 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade and a native of Bayreuth, Germany. "I think they may have shown us some mercy in the earlier games, but both nations gave their all in the last game."
The final score of the third game was 1-0 with the PT belt team coming out on top. There are hopes from both nations to host this kind of sporting event on a regular basis.
"It is very nice that we got to share something fun together, everyone had fun and I think that was the goal when we decided to do this," said Senegalese army Col. Boucar Sene, the base commander of Camp Cisse. "This shows our friendship and all that we share as military. We all have the same goals, to protect our people and do our missions. It is important, while we are here together, to share some fun."
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