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Dream come true for young Arab player making history in Brazil
Palestinian refugee finds a home in Brazil as a professional player.
- By Duane Fonseca, Sports Reporter
- Published: 00:15 May 21, 2008
- Ali Khalid Abu Taha has signed a two-year contract with the Brasilia-based club.
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
In what could very well be a classic rags-to-riches story, Iraq-born Palestinian refugee Ali Khalid Abu Taha will become the first Arab to play professional football in Brazil next month when he turns out for Brazsat Football Clube in the Brasilia State Championship.
Ali has signed a two-year contract with the Brasilia-based club and his salary is expected to be in line with other Brazilian players, according to Brazsat FC managing director Joao Gilberto Vaz, who chose to keep secret other terms included in the youngster's deal.
Prior to his arrival in the Brazilian city of Mogi das Cruzes, the 18-year-old Ali lived in Jordan's Ruwashed Refugee Camp.
He was introduced to the club by Doha-based news channel Al Jazeera's senior correspondent in Brazil, Deddah Abdullah, who asked Vaz if a game could be organised between the refugees living in Mogi das Cruzes and one of the local teams.
It was here that Ali caught the attention of Brazsat's scouts who welcomed him to train with the club.
"I received a call from Mr Abdullah and that's how the whole process started" said Vaz, "a few days later Ali was in Brasilia training at Brazsat FC.
We got him a place to live, a two-year deal and the hope of becoming a famous footballer. A few months ago he was playing in the middle of the desert; now he is playing with Brazilians.
Scouting for talent
"His initial contract is for two seasons, with the possibility to extend it further and if he plays well I am sure other Brazilian clubs will be interested in his services because we've already had scouts visiting us from two major Brazilian clubs and a very famous club in Europe.
"Our aim is to become one of the country's major clubs before we host the World Cup finals in 2014, so that we can have Arab teams training at our facility.
"When I received Ali at the airport with the Palestinian diplomat, I couldn't hide my emotions and I would sincerely like to welcome other Arab players who would like to play their football in Brazil."
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