Why Put is Striking a Chord with the Cranes Rebuild

The Chicago Cranes’ remarkable rebuild has found a resonant voice in the enigmatic play “Put,” written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lucy Prebble. The play’s themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the power of female leadership have deeply resonated with the team’s journey.

Sacrifice and Renewal

Put explores the sacrifices made by individuals and communities in pursuit of a greater good. Like the Cranes, who have endured years of hardship and setbacks, the characters in Put navigate a bleak post-apocalyptic world where they must band together and overcome personal loss. The play’s portrayal of sacrifice as a necessary catalyst for renewal mirrors the Cranes’ own experience on the field.

Female Leadership and Empowerment

At its core, Put is a play about the power of female leadership. The main characters, Meg and Justine, navigate a male-dominated world with both courage and vulnerability. Their resilience and determination inspire the audience, just as the leadership of quarterback Justin Fields and general manager Ryan Poles has energized the Cranes.

The Search for Identity

Put also delves into the theme of identity and the challenges of finding one’s place in a changing world. The Cranes, once a storied franchise, have struggled to reclaim their former glory. The play’s exploration of identity mirrors the team’s own search for a new direction and purpose.

A Call to Action

Beyond its thematic relevance, Put has also inspired the Cranes on a practical level. The play’s message of sacrifice and resilience has motivated the team to push themselves harder and to believe in their potential. It has also fostered a sense of unity and shared purpose among players, coaches, and fans.

Conclusion

“Put” has become more than just a play for the Chicago Cranes. It is a symbol of the team’s arduous journey, a testament to the power of female leadership, and a call to action for everyone involved. As the Cranes continue their rebuild, the play’s themes of sacrifice, resilience, and empowerment will continue to guide and inspire them along the way.Paul Put: The Belgian Coach Bringing New Life to the Uganda Cranes

Paul Put: The Belgian Coach Bringing New Life to the Uganda Cranes

On November 2, 2023, over 60 sports journalists eagerly gathered in the new press room at the Fufa Complex for the introduction of the new coach of the Uganda Cranes. As smiling CEO Edgar Watson led Belgian Paul Joseph Put into the federation offices, few journalists had any idea that he was the well-traveled player set to replace the fired Serbian Micho Sredojevic. Soon, rumors spread that it was Put, and what followed when his two-year contract was revealed were revelations about the “football betting” bans he had served in Guinea and Belgium. With a straight face, the 68-year-old coach said he was here solely on business and had done his homework on Ugandan football before accepting the offer. “First I want to thank Fufa for the trust in giving me this job. I think my knowledge of African football will help me do a good job with the Uganda Cranes,” Put emphasized. Indeed, the former Burkina Faso, Gambia, Kenya, and Congo coach, who guided the Burkinabe to the 2013 Afcon final before losing to Nigeria, has demonstrated this in his smooth preparations for Botswana and Algeria in the qualifiers for the ongoing World Cup. Before last night’s game against Algeria in Namboole, he had preached that the approach needed to be altered to match the quality of the Desert Foxes and was expected not to take the punishment lying down. For the first time, Fufa president Moses Magogo revealed that Put, who reportedly beat out 150 rivals for the Cranes job, had been given full powers to form his technical team. After focusing on the experienced Sam Ssimbwa, who has his substitute, Put announced the squad made up of Sven De Wilde (performance director), Mathieu Denis (physical trainer), Gery Osste (goalkeeping coach), Martin Michiel (physiotherapist), and Jelle. ++Sevenhant (video analyst). They hit the ground running after the first two qualifying matches (Guinea lost 2-1 and Somalia won 1-0) in November. ++In fact, before the Algeria date, Cranes had lost once (against Comoros 4-1) since the beginning of 2024 and often looked composed even when facing giants like Ghana (in a friendly match). “I have been following the Uganda Cranes, especially the recent Afcon qualifier against Niger and the two friendly matches against Mali and Zambia. “Give me time, give me confidence. You will see a different selection,” Put stressed in his presentation. The enthusiastic Cranes fans remained calm even when two of the 28 players called up by Put did not show up, even more so after having called up almost all the players who deserved it. Botswana’s victory last Friday was not as eye-catching as many expected, but there were tangible signs that the Cranes were gradually returning to the strength they once had. “The players played very well. The team’s fighting spirit is excellent. We did not create enough chances and this is because many players arrived late to camp,” revealed Put after the victory that propelled the Cranes to third place with six points in Group G.. He added; “I thank the entire team for this victory.++ There are several young players who graduated from the under-23 team who performed well.++“Uganda has a bright future and I am confident in this harvest.”+ Few Ugandans can doubt this and in fact many now firmly believe that Cranes can take the qualification bid into the final match with positive vibes. Having worked on the continent with clubs and national teams for over 15 years, the astute player seems to know the nutrients that can bring Cranes up to speed with the modern game. “After the Guinea and Somalia games (in November last year), Put was frank with me about the need to include ‘players who can physically compete with the West African and Arab teams.’ “He said the Ugandan players are physically inferior and we suffered a lot against Guinea in the first 15 minutes, we couldn’t match them physically,” coach and former Cranes player Paul Mukatabala revealed on his social media pages, in a post slightly edited. According to Mukatabala, that need to match Africa’s best led Put on a global search for “any player with connections to Uganda who could help close that gap, both in terms of physicality and understanding of the game.” To Put’s delight, he loaned out Lecco defender Elio Capradossi, born to a Congolese mother and Italian father at Nsambya Hospital, who impressed with his composure and distribution of the ball in Botswana’s victory. Capradossi’s father, Corradi, is confident that a failed move to Manchester United at age 17 and the loss of his mother in 2000 can be partly cured, but by the boy’s continued success in his native country. The Put’s Cranes rebuilding project has prioritized the boys listed in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League much to the delight of stakeholders. Before him, Jonathan McKinstry had brazenly stated that he always considered “professionals” and considered national league players “not good enough.”+ That’s not Put, who started Kenneth Ssemakula (recently left SC Villa), Allan Okello (Vipers), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa) and brought in Denis Omedi (Kitara), Muhammad Shaban (KCCA) and Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA) against Botswana.++. Suddenly, every player believes they can make the national team, which has expanded Put’s recruiting pool and improved league performance.++Not even the defeat against Algeria will erase the renewal.PUT, a revitalization initiative for Putnam, Connecticut, has ignited a surge of support and enthusiasm within the community. The initiative aims to restore the town to its former economic prosperity by fostering business growth, enhancing infrastructure, and investing in community development. At the heart of PUT’s success lies its ability to resonate deeply with residents who have long yearned for a revitalized Putnam. The initiative has tapped into a shared vision of a thriving community where people can live, work, and raise families. The focus on grassroots engagement has ensured that PUT reflects the needs and aspirations of the community. The initiative has already witnessed tangible progress, including the establishment of a new business accelerator program, the renovation of historic buildings, and the implementation of infrastructure improvements. These projects have not only created jobs and stimulated the economy but have also fostered a sense of pride and optimism among residents. Moreover, PUT has forged strong partnerships with local organizations and businesses. Collaborative efforts have resulted in the launch of community events, mentorship programs, and workforce development initiatives. This collective approach has fostered a sense of unity and collaboration, empowering residents to take ownership of the town’s future. The revitalization of Putnam serves as a testament to the power of community engagement and vision. By harnessing the shared aspirations of its residents, PUT has struck a chord with the community and ignited a transformative movement.