It is early morning. At the Briskeby stadium in Hamar, the football students from Wang top sports gymnasium have their first lesson. In the middle of the group, in a green Hamkam suit, Abdul Baset Binawa grins widely: – Welcome to our stadium! National team for Afghanistan Abdul Baset is 17 years old and a refugee from Afghanistan. After a year on the run, he has arrived alone at Innlandet and Toten state reception. But this week he is in Hamar to play football with HamKam. Because Abdul Baset is a football talent. He has played on age-specific national teams in his home country since he was 13 years old. And he has scored goals. Many goals. In a tournament in India, he scored three goals in a match against Bangladesh. – In Afghanistan, several people said to me: You play like Lionel Messi. You will become a big football star, says Abdul Baset. The 17-year-old shows photos from football life in his home country. Team photos with other national team players. Photos of himself in the national football kit. Pictures with medals and trophies after tournament victories. Abdul Baset has played several international matches for age-specific teams in Afghanistan. Abdul dreams of becoming a football star. On his own FB page, he has many pictures of himself as a footballer. – One day, if Allah wills, I will become the best footballer in the world, says the 17-year-old. He came to Norway as an unaccompanied minor refugee two months ago. Hamkam supporter became guardian The training with HamKam was arranged by Geir Sannes. He was appointed guardian of Abdul Baset six weeks ago. And Sannes quickly saw that he had met a special boy. – He was a positive boy in every way. He gave a very trusting impression, says Sannes. TIPS HAMKAM: It was Abdul Baset’s appointed guardian, Geir Sannes, who put the football talent in contact with HamKam. Photo: Ola Bjørlo Strande / news When Sannes heard that the 17-year-old had played football at a high level in Afghanistan, he contacted his own favorite club. – I thought that this could be a win-win. Both for him as a person and for HamKam, if they can benefit from him. One year on the run Everything changed for the 17-year-old when the Taliban took over control of the country last summer. Then he decided to flee. He admits it was a difficult decision to make. – But I could not reach my goals and fulfill my dreams in Afghanistan. At first he tried to get out of the country by plane. But at the airport in Kabul it was complete chaos. It ended with him first entering Iran illegally. Then the escape continued to Turkey before he took a boat over to Italy. About two months ago he came to Norway. By then he had been on the run for almost a year. ESCAPED WITH MOTHER’S APPROVAL: Abdul escaped the country with the full support of his mother, who still lives in Afghanistan. According to Abdul, she said he had no future there. Photo: Lars Erik Skrefsrud / news Well received Almost a year of limited football time has made the 17-year-old a bit rusty technically. He has also never played on artificial grass before. Nevertheless, he kept up with the training together with the other teenagers. Hamkam’s recruiting coach, Chris Twiddy, likes what he sees. – He has a good first touch and a good ability to move, says Twiddy. PRAISE: Chris Twiddy, Hamkam’s recruiting coach, hopes Abdul Baset spends the week well and that he continues to have fun with football. Photo: Lars Erik Skrefsrud / news Fellow player Thorbjørn Bellon Kristiansen, who himself plays for the Norwegian U17 national team, is also full of praise. – It is a very nice type. Very pleasant and enthusiastic, and he spreads a lot of energy. NEW FRIENDS: The Norwegian national team player also believes that the Afghan refugee can go far on the football field. – Of course he can do it! But he must work hard, and continue to believe that it is possible. Photo: Lars Erik Skrefsrud / news Wants to be the world’s best Now Abdul hopes he can get permanent residence in Norway. Warden Geir Sannes thinks there is a good chance of that, and says that both he and a lawyer are working to make it. What happens next with Abdul Baset’s football career is uncertain. Initially, he will train with HamKam for a week. After that, he goes back to the reception at Toten, according to the plan. Abdul Baset himself has no doubt that he will succeed in fulfilling his football dreams: – One day, Allah willing, I will become the best football player in the world! ONE OF THE GANG: Abdul Baset Binawa didn’t take long to make good contact with the other young footballers at Wang top sports. Photo: Lars Erik Skrefsrud / news
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Abdul Baset fled Afghanistan and the Taliban – now he gets to train with HamKam – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
