My

Story

Ahmad

“I come from Homs in Syria. Growing up we didn’t have much money. When I was a child, I played for a football club in Syria where I rose through all the age groups and almost became professional. But I had to leave the club to get a job and help my father earn money.

Two and a half years ago, I had to flee my home country because of the war. I am very lucky I got to Jordan alive; many of the people who fled with me did not survive. After a while in the Azraq Refugee camp, I left to work in a city close to Amman, Madaba. Unfortunately, I got injured on the job and was in a coma for three months. I didn’t have any medical insurance, so I had to return to the camp to get basic medical care.

After I woke up from the coma, people told me I might never be able to walk again. I know that with the injury I sustained, I will not be able to play football on a professional level, but I can still be a coach, train kids – and that is all I want to do now.

Kids have lots of energy, and need to play, but there is nothing here for them to do. There is no electricity in the camp, so the kids can’t even watch TV or play videogames to pass their time. This programme helps resolve the problem by providing football activities. I will apply everything that I have learned here with enthusiasm and passion, and help the kids fill their time with fun and entertaining activities.

Being here, and taking part in the programme, is a huge relief for me. I feel much better now that I have achieved something by completing the Young Coach Education Programme.”