DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
Soccer referee Erick Callejas, 10, begins the match, in El Alto, Bolivia, on 3rd August, 2023 in this screengrab obtained from Reuters TV. PICTURE: Reuters TV via Reuters
• Erick Callejas may be just 10-years-old – and a lot shorter than the other participants on the soccer pitch – but he has no qualms enforcing the rules as one of the few referees his age. In high-altitude El Alto, Bolivia’s second-largest city and neighbour to capital La Paz, Callejas can be found on weekends blowing his whistle and calling the shots at local games, inspired by his referee father Ramiro. “On Saturdays and Sundays I go out to referee with my little colleague, my son, Erick,” Ramiro said. “I am very proud, I’m filled with emotion because refereeing runs in his blood.” Callejas refereed his first match in a women’s league after his dad signed him up for the job. “There was a women’s championship and [the coordinator] asked if I could referee and I said yes.”So far, he seems to be impressing his elders with his style. Player Beimar Tancara says Callejas has a natural talent. “You can tell he has that character. He runs. He moves. He is not intimidated by people, even if the public shouts,” Tancara said. “I think he was born to be a referee. He is very talented. I like his refereeing.” For now, Callejas is umpiring games on sandy pitches in the community league, watched closely from the sidelines by his mother and coached by his father. But he has big hopes to one day take his talents international. “My dream is to referee the Bolivian Derby, to be a FIFA referee so I can go to the World Cup, America Cup, Liberators Cup and the Champions League,” Callejas said. – MONICA MACHICAO, SERGIO LIMACHI, SANTIAGO LIMACHI, El Alto, Bolivia/Reuters.
• Worshippers at Phaneroo Ministries International, a prominent Ugandan church, have made an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest applause. Religion Unplugged report that on 30th July, hundreds of Christians gathered at the Uganda Manufacturers Association showgrounds for the event dubbed “Clap for Jesus”. The record of three hours and 16 minutes – which surpassed the previous record of two hours and five minutes completed by Stevens Clark UK on 20th July, 2019 – was marked with shouts of triumph. Apostle Grace Lubega, the senior pastor at Phaneroo who led the clapping event – which was also streamed live, said while the Guinness World book of records “is a secular platform”, “it too can be used to preach the Gospel”. Pastor Rohi Bright, one of the key organisers of the event said: “We shall be celebrating our ninth anniversary in a matter of days, so we felt it prudent to give thanks to God in a special way for the wonderful things He has accomplished in us, through us and for us in the nine years. This world record challenge gives us the perfect opportunity to make history for God.” The record attempt is now reportedly being reviewd by Guinness World Records. – DAVID ADAMS
Jockeys compete in Chonburi’s annual buffalo race festival, Chonburi province, Thailand, on 6th August, 2023. PICTURE: Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha
• Thai farmers marked the beginning of rice cultivation during the monsoon season on Sunday with their annual water buffaloes race which dates back to the 1800s. More than 60 buffaloes took part in the race along a 200-metre dirt track in the Napa sub-district of Chonburi province, some 80 kilometres south-east of the capital Bangkok. Samart Suksawang, mayor of Napa, said the event honours the buffalo’s traditional role as beast of burden in rice farming. “The purpose is to conserve cultural traditions, allowing the younger generation to understand that we’ve been practicing rice cultivation with the help of buffaloes for a long time within our local communities,” he said. Though many farmers now use tractors for rice ploughing, water buffaloes are still kept for other duties like carrying. At the race, young men ran behind pairs of buffaloes, yoked at the neck, using whips to drive them through a waterlogged track. Between races, they splashed water on the animals. “When it’s hot, we have to pour the water to make the fatigue go away,” said racer Noppadorn Ponpaiparn, 26. “Just like boxers, during breaks, we have to wipe them.” The race took place in hot dry weather, with a five per cent drop in rainfall forecast for the July-October monsoon, according to the country’s Meteorological Department. “It’s so much fun and exhilarating,” said spectator Ratsamee Chomkhun, 48. “But it’s also surprising. We’re afraid the buffaloes might jump towards us, but the staff are keeping them under control.” – NAPAT WESSHASARTAR and THOMAS SUEN, Chonburi, Thailand/Reuters.
