A foreign footballer’s dream for Pakistan

The Nigerian footballer is not only playing in events but also training 100 aspiring footballers.

It never hurts to dream big. What hampers the progress is sitting back on one’s lazy-boy couch and doing nothing to achieve your goal.

Nigerian footballer Emeke Aliewa, one of five foreigners currently featuring at club-level tournaments in Islamabad, is not one to shy away from hard work.

As a starter for Ravi FC, the Nigerian is not only playing in events but also training 100 aspiring footballers as he aims to marshal at least one into a European league — something that sounds like a distant dream for a Pakistan player.

Passion sounds like a cliché when it comes to describing a sportsman’s motivation but aptly describes Aliewa’s enthusiasm.

It has been eight years since he came to Islamabad. The obsession has gotten no less but the resolve has certainly become stronger.

“It’s a matter of time before football takes over cricket in Pakistan,” said Aliewa. “In Nigeria, everyone plays football in their backyard or in front of their house and I’m glad the same trend is emerging in Islamabad.”

Aliewa played as a professional footballer at the Nigerian Premier League and attracted attention after registering a hat-trick at the Naveedul Hassan Memorial tournament semi-final. But he has other intentions.

Nigerian footballer Aliewa, who trains Pakistan footballers in Islamabad, aims to marshal at least one local talent into a top European league in the future. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/EXPRESS

He wants to excel where the Pakistan federation has failed — give the international football community at least one quality player from this part of the world.

While Aliewa, a development associate with the Islamabad Football Association (IFA), may sound emotional, sports thrive on feelings.

“I hadn’t planned on staying in Pakistan this long but something made me stay. I train students at the Islamabad Academy and the youngest one is four-and-a-half-years old.

“I’m like a friend to all my students and I dream of producing at least one world-class club player from Pakistan who can go on and feature in a European league. Until I achieve that, I will stay here. There’s a lot of talent in Pakistan but very little financial support from either the government or sponsors. But I’m very hopeful.”

And hope is what he needs to have since there is little else he can count on.

While the Nigerian has a clear goal of giving something to Pakistan football, an IFA official felt that the foreign footballers were benefiting more from playing in the country.

There are a total of 36 active clubs in Islamabad and the trend of including foreigners has gradually increased.

Zakir Naqvi, an IFA official, feels the trend is due to the pay-scale given to them.

Nigerian footballer Aliewa, who trains Pakistan footballers in Islamabad, aims to marshal at least one local talent into a top European league in the future. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/EXPRESS

“The foreigners are benefiting more,” said Naqvi. “A local club hires them and pays at least Rs2,000 per match, which is more than what local players get. These players are also pursuing their studies while living here. So it’s a win-win situation for them. They adhere to their passion, make money and finish their studies before leaving.”

Aliewa and another Nigerian, Uche, did come here to pursue the sport since a lack of finances meant they could not progress in their own country.

But Aliewa has taken it upon himself of giving something in return to the country.

It hurts to see a foreigner having such dreams for Pakistan, while the authorities here have no long-term goal. Maybe his passion will rub off on the locals and, as a combined group, they can collectively achieve something big for Pakistan football.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2013.