This text is originally published in Kotona kansainvälisessä Kainuussa magazine on 25.8.2021. Article has now been republished as part of Work in Kainuu campaign.
Kainuu newspapers wrote about the ”great leap” in Suomussalmi football and the historic moment when Abdulaziz Azeza, 19, who came to Suomussalmi from Syria via Turkey, played his first official match in the adult football league. The last time a Suomussalmi player played in a Finnish League match was in the last millennium.
Abdulaziz played a historic match for Kurenpojat from Pudasjärvi in full time against a team from Kemi. “My mother is proud and supports me”, says the youngster. At the same time, he says that the historic event has not attracted much attention locally.
Abdulaziz played for a year and a half for a Syrian team but did not have time to play in Turkey because he had to go to work. He returned to football after moving to Suomussalmi in late summer 2019, and in addition to playing for the local team, he has also trained in Kajaani. Currently, he trains in Suomussalmi and three times a week with the team in Pudasjärvi.
The wage from working in a hotel in Suomussalmi is necessary, as expenses are accumulating. The football team of the town supports the player’s promise – a good example of this is the petrol account that helps with training trips.
Football and other sports – futsal, volleyball and weight training – are a big part of Abdulaziz’s daily life. His whole family in Suomussalmi – his older brother, younger sister and mother – are sporty. A place in the Kurenpojat ranks is a step forward as the young player looks to a future in sport. Abdulaziz says he has been well received by the team.
This text is originally published in Kotona kansainvälisessä Kainuussa magazine on 25.8.2021. Article has now been republished as part of Work in Kainuu campaign.