Ex-refugee is now an Italian footballer
abu dhabi — When 20-year-old Gerald Mballe fled his war-torn homeland, he never thought he would be representing a country at a global sporting event four years later.
This week, Mballe has been in the UAE playing for Italy’s sevena-side football team as a Unified Partner at Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. The Unified Sports programme aims to break stereotypes by having people with and without intellectual disabilities play alongside each other on the same team.
Back in October 2014, a teenage Mballe had to leave his homeland as war escalated. His journey saw him crossing the borders of Niger, Libya and Algeria before he was rescued on a boat by Italian authorities in November 2015, more than a year after he first set off.
Despite a tough start as a refugee in Italy, Mballe now proudly calls the country his home. He lives in Torino and even speaks the language. By taking part in the Special Olympics Italy programme, he is happy to give back to the community.
“My journey to Italy was very tough as I travelled unsecured, and it was not easy. We didn’t know where we were going but we kept on moving in order to secure a better life,” he said. “I was fortunate to have someone who educated me at the camp, his name was Luigi, and he asked whether I would be happy to train a group of footballers with intellectual disabilities. I didn’t know much about them other than that they had intellectual disabilities. I was impressed by them as they had such sheer determination and, from that moment, I wanted to be a part of the Special Olympics programme.” When he is not studying, he spends most of his time playing with the Special Olympics athletes. He has already won gold with the national team, but whether they win or lose, Mballe said everyone can go home with their heads held high.
“We are living in the 21st century but, still, people today are discriminating against people with intellectual disabilities,” said Mballe.
“All people of determination are focused and they have the power and determination to do anything they want to do. I have seen it with my own eyes. This World Games will help spread the message of inclusion and it will inspire the athletes so they know they can do things by themselves.
“There is nothing like the Special Olympics. It is an honour to be part of the movement, and the memories of being a part of it are something I’ll cherish for a long time.”