Some places have a way of reminding you why you began.
This summer, I returned to Kumasi, Ghana, where my family supports a youth football academy with three teams made up of talented young players who share one common dream—to play the game they love at the highest level possible.
Watching them train was both inspiring and humbling.
Their commitment was unmistakable.
Their joy was contagious.
Their potential was undeniable.
But so were the conditions.
The “pitch” was little more than compacted dirt, gravel, and red earth. Every sprint sent dust into the air. Every tackle left scrapes and bruises. Every bounce of the ball reminded me that these young athletes were developing extraordinary skill despite extraordinary limitations.
And yet they played with smiles on their faces.
They played with gratitude.
They played with hope.
As I stood on the edge of the field, I couldn’t help but think about the countless conversations I’ve had in the United States about access to quality places to play.
On the surface, Los Angeles and Kumasi seem worlds apart.
But the challenge is surprisingly familiar.
In both places, talented young people are too often limited not by their ability, but by the environments available to them.
The details may differ.
One community may struggle with aging facilities.
Another may lack enough playing fields to meet demand.
Another may train on dirt because there simply isn’t another option.
But the underlying issue is the same.
Opportunity is shaped by infrastructure.
Talent is universal.
Access is not.
That truth has become one of the guiding principles of my work with Playing for Keeps.
Whether we are partnering with schools in California, supporting community organizations, or looking toward future opportunities abroad, our mission remains the same: to create safe, high-quality places where children can discover what they are capable of.
Because the right environment does more than improve athletic performance.
It improves health.
It builds confidence.
It strengthens communities.
It creates pathways to education and leadership.
It gives young people a place where they belong.
As a former member of Ghana’s Women’s National Team, I know firsthand how life-changing the opportunity to play can be. Sport has opened doors that shaped my education, my career, and my purpose. Today, watching my daughter continue her own football journey has only strengthened my belief that every child deserves the chance to dream without unnecessary barriers standing in the way.
The children I met in Kumasi don’t need anyone to give them passion.
They already have it.
They don’t need anyone to teach them resilience.
They live it every day.
What they deserve is the same thing every child deserves: a safe place to play, a community that believes in them, and an opportunity to develop their gifts to the fullest.
My hope is that Playing for Keeps continues to expand its reach—not only across the United States, but around the world—bringing together partners who recognize that investing in children through sport is one of the most powerful investments we can make.
Because no child’s future should be determined by the condition of the field beneath their feet.
Because every child deserves more than a moment.
Every child deserves a place to play.
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