CAF Story | Best-kept secret
Video / June 27, 2024
Transcript
I have two religions. I have my spiritual religion and to then I have soccer.
I was born in Togo in West Africa. Togo being one of those countries where you just play soccer. I was on the elementary school team. I was also on my high school team, but I always had to focus more on studying. I was born in a very religious family, and since I was a kid, I had only two visions: Be a medical doctor or be a minister. So, soccer was for me just a natural thing that we play, but I didn’t – never really realized that I wanted to be a soccer professional player.
I was very good at school, and then, I don't think that at that time they realized the potential of making money with soccer. I did medical school for two years. I didn’t like it, and I finally found my vocation as a minister.
I always loved Canada because of the humanitarian aspect. I asked to go to Canada, so my uncles and my mom they put the money together and they sent me to Saint Paul University in Ottawa to do my master's degree. I was on working groups for the United Church of Canada. We had a military chaplain, who was recruiting and so, when she found out I’m a good athlete, she approached me and said, oh, do you want to join? I said no, because my vision of the military back home was not a good example. So, I didn't want to have anything to do with the military. So, it took two years. I decided to go forward with the application, and then, I received the offer and…
For me, it’s a dream. Like, I don't know, I always say to my kids that sports in the CAF is probably one of the well-kept secrets that people don't realize the opportunity to represent your country at an international level. Have the maple leaf on your heart. So, apart from being professional, I don't know where you can get that.
I think people have to start looking into the CISM programs more and more, and we have to put it out there. You have many, many young people I brought in the program, at least three or four players, who’d never heard about the program. So, that’s why it’s important for retention, great soccer players that can join and then we can have... We are missing out on a lot of opportunities to bring in people and taking ten days paid to come and train... For me, you know, you can’t ask for better than to be in the CF.