By Abu Onyiani
For as long as I can remember, I have always felt the urge to support any player who is either Nigerian or has Nigerian roots, no matter which nation he chooses to represent. Karim Adeyemi is however different from other professional football players from Nigeria.
Even for those who were born and bred here in Nigeria, coming back home, associating with the locals and giving back to the society seems to be a seasonal thing they do, only for the camera and paparazzi.
On the other hand, Karim, under tutelage and guidance from his dad is actively involved in giving back to the society. There is some sort of force that draws him back to his roots, and his people, and it is that same force that has drawn many to him.
Known for his brilliance, movement off the ball, lightening speed, technique and shooting abilities, Karim is a defender’s nightmare. Already at the tender age of 22, he has already achieved the following:
1X Top Goal Scorer in the Austrian Bundesliga
1X German Bundesliga Rookie of the Season
1X European Champions League Man of the Match
3X Austrian Champion
1X European Under-21 Champion
Scored wonder goal on his senior international debut for Germany
1X TM-Player of the Season
3X Austrian Cup Winner
To cap it, he is also the fasted player of all time in the history of German Bundesliga. This is quite hugem considering the speed demons who have and still ply their trade in Germany.
Those are his personal records, even though many people carry the laurels for him. For me, as for with a large number of his fans in Nigeria though, his awards are the least of his achievements. Touching thousands of lives through his philanthropic gestures to people living in the poverty capital of the world is his biggest achievement.
I believe the people who trekked several miles to a stream to get water will agree with me as they fetch water from boreholes close to them that were sunk by Karim Adeyemi Foundation. I am certain the beneficiaries of his scholarship initiatives will agree too. I am also sure that local footballers, many of whom dared not dream about playing football professionally will nod in agreement, after being exposed to the world by Adeyemi FC.
From the people who have become gainfully employed through his foundation and club to those who have benefited immensely from his public spiritedness, the general agreement would be that the lives he has touched has been his greatest achievement.
Karim Adeyemi is the gift that keeps giving, and we are here to cheer him to greater heights.
Happy Birthday Mr. Moon.
Leave a Reply