Advisory book for players seeking greener pastures in Europe launched in Lagos
A book which will serve as a guide to African players aiming to ply their trade in Europe and other parts of the world has been launched in Lagos.
Titled ‘ Marcus An African Boy’s European Dream and written by former Nigerian player, coach and sports scientist, Victor Ehimen Ighedosa chronicles the expected problems a new player of African descent is expected to encounter while seeking greener pastures in European countries, how to navigate them and useful advise on how to sustain his life after football.
Reviewing the 16 page book, which was launched Tuesday at the Conference Hall of the National Institute For Sports ( NIS), Lagos, former Secretary General of NFF, Coach Fanny Amun ( MON), while commending the author for using his life experience to write the book, described it as a must read for young Nigerian players whose dreams are to travel to Europe for professional football.
According to him, it was not written to discourage players from traveling to Europe but to keep them abreast of what to expect while in foreign land.
In his review, he said the book talks about a promising young Nigerian player who was scouted while playing for a local club and invited to play in England but along the line career threatening injury cut short his football career.
And after he was offloaded by the club, he spent all his money treating his injury which left him bankrupt.
However, inorder to survive, he took up a job as a hotel guard and steward. Eventually, his work permit expired and without the help of a club contract to justify an extension, he became an illegal immigrant.
Amun explained that because Marcus was no longer earning enough money to pay for his bills and sent money home to his family; depression and frustration sets in and he became an alcoholic and eventually a drug addict.
Amun said the lesson to learn from the book is that at times traveling to Europe could be rosy while at some other time, it could lead to disappointment, early end of football career, trials and tribulations.
The veteran sports administrator, used the event to advise players to be mindful of the type of scout programmes they embrace, warning that any scout coming to Nigeria who is not the Sporting Director of his club should not be taken serious.
He also warned players against accepting to deliver parcels from unknown individuals while on transit because such parcels could turn out to be hard drug which could lead the person to jail when caught.
Speaking at the well attended event, Chairman of the occasion and renowned football administrator and founder of defunct Obanta United High Chief Adewale Teluwo commended the author, who was his former player for doing a good job, positing that it will serve as a guide to players aiming to play professional football abroad.
In their separate remarks, Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, Hajj Liameed and ex- international, Waidi Akanni praised the author for the book; saying it will be of great importance to players.
In his address, the author, Victor Ehimen Ighedosa, said the book which is a blend of fiction and non- fiction is dedicated to the memory of his late brother, MARCUS, and to all the young African footballers who were unable to fulfil their European dream.
“This book is a blend of fiction and non-fiction, inspired by real experiences, real struggles and the realities of what many young African footballers encounter in pursuit of their dreams.
Quoting from Chinua Achebe which says “Until the lions have their historians, the story of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” he said that as
footballers, do not tell their stories, many people will continue to have false narratives about the realities and culture of professional football.
“I feel this book is my own little way of giving back and helping the younger generation of footballers coming after us.
“What inspired me to write this book is the fact that many of us; our families, friends, parents, uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters are often oblivious to the challenges young footballers face when they leave home or travel abroad in pursuit of a professional football career.
“When I first travelled to Europe, I was not prepared for many of the experiences that came with it. I encountered racism for the first time. The culture was completely different from ours. The food, weather, language and even the time difference were all new to me.
“Issues surrounding immigration, mental health and injuries were also things I had to learn to navigate.
“Whenever I speak with friends playing in different European leagues, I realise that many of us share similar experiences and stories. Different countries, different clubs and different circumstances, yet so many of the struggles are the same.
He further stated that one thing he learnt is that talent alone is not enough but that one has to be resilient, humble, hardworking, disciplined and mentally strong, while also remaining spiritually grounded in God.
The author stated that sometimes, like Marcus, a players’ dreams can come true. But sometimes, we are not in control of our destiny as we grapple with circumstances, uncertainty and fate but nevertheless, we should learn to celebrate those brief moments when our stars shine the brightest.
He described the book as his own attempt to tell that story; the story behind the dream, the struggles behind the success, and the realities that many young footballers face away from home.
“It is a story of hope, ambition, sacrifice, resilience, loss and the pursuit of a dream.
Victor, believes that if the book can prepare even one young footballer for the realities ahead, or help one family better understand what their son or daughter may be going through, then it has served its purpose.
Highlight of the launch which was attended by football administrators, ex- internationals, football stakeholders, was the presentation of copies of the book to Lagos State Football Association, National Institute For Sports (NIS) and all the teams that attended the launch who were also presented with footballs.
