INTERVIEW

Born in Kenya to Somali parents on December 1, 1997, Abdulkadir "Said" Haji has persevered as a refugee in Kenya to become one of the top young African soccer players in the United States.

Said, as most of his friends call him, came to the United States in 2004 after his parents had earlier fled a brutal civil war in Somalia before settling in Kenya where he and his siblings were born. Thereafter, his parents migrated to the United States in search of freedom and a better education for their children.

Upon his arrival to the United States, specifically New Hampshire, Haji joined the New Hampshire Classics where, due to his exploits, he was called into a U.S. Training Center to train with the U.S. U15 Boys National Team and the New England Revolution U16 Academy Team.

Presently, Haji is a junior student at the Lawrence Academy at Groton in Massachusetts where he plays varsity soccer for the school. Last season, he helped the Spartans achieved a back-to-back Independent School League (ISL) title as well as their first ever New England Private Schools Athletic Council (NEPSAC) championship.

Yesterday, Haji found time after classes to sit for an interview with the staff here at the U.S. African Sports Magazine (USASM):

USASM: Let's begin with your school. How is your schooling here in the United States? Is it difficult balancing soccer with school work?

Abdulkadir Haji
The school I attend is called Lawrence Academy. The teachers here are amazing and very welcoming. They help you whenever you need it. It's very easy balancing soccer with school because times are set for academics and for soccer.

USASM: So what is your typical day like? How much time you spent studying, training, and practicing?

Abdulkadir Haji
We attend school from 8:00am starting with advisory and end at 3:10pm. During that time, we have study time from 8:00am - 10:00am. Practices usually start at 3:45pm and ends at 5:00pm everyday. Wednesdays are Game days so we have half a day in school from 8:00am to 11:00am depending on what classes you are taking. Also another game day is Saturday.

USASM: When did you first get interested in playing soccer?

Abdulkadir Haji
I first got interested in playing soccer when Brazil won the 2002 World Cup. Watching Ronaldo (Brazilian) just inspired me and he is still my favorite player. I could barely remember it but Ronaldo was the town hero and everyone wanted to play like him. Everyone wore his jerseys and also got his famous haircut.

USASM: Why you considered Ronaldo as your soccer hero and favorite player?

Abdulkadir Haji
Ronaldo is my hero because I feel like I connect with him in a way. He was a poor kid playing in Brazil and he was just in love with the sport like I was back home. Ronaldo's pace was incredible with the ball as if the ball was glued to his boots. He is my favorite player because of how skillful he was with the ball and his finishes were just deadly.

USASM: Tell us about your coaches (high school and/or club). Who is/was your favorite coach and why?

Abdulkadir Haji
I love all my coaches. I have no favorites because they are all helpful and they push me to be a better player.

USASM: Your high school, the Lawrence Academy Spartans, won their first ever New England Private School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) title last season when you scored the opening goal in the final, is there any individual records you have broken?

Abdulkadir Haji
No individual records. But like I said it's amazing to have a team where everyone is welcoming and cares about you. The team is amazing and everyone works hard. We achieved a goal that everyone had set and it was to win the New England title. We wanted it and we worked hard for it since the beginning of preseason.

USASM: What are one or two things that you do in training that directly contributes to your performance during games?

Abdulkadir Haji
I push myself! I always have a goal to what I should be doing to improve my game and being very religious, I pray before practices and games.

USASM: What is the most memorable moment you have had while playing soccer?

Abdulkadir Haji
The most memorable soccer moment I've had was when my dad came to my game for the first time. He always supported me since he was a big soccer player back in his days. It was amazing he came to watch me the first time and I just wanted to impress him by showing him the talents I have. I scored a goal for him on that day and came over to hug him, only because he made the effort to come and also for everything he has done for me and my family.

USASM: It's great knowing that your parents support your soccer activities. You will be graduating from high school in 2017, what are your future aspirations? College and/or Professional soccer?

Abdulkadir Haji
My future aspiration is to attend college after I graduate from high school. I'm thinking about attending either Duke University or the University of Connecticut. I just to want to keep working hard and be the first person in my family to play college soccer.

USASM: You are eligible to play for three national teams, namely: Kenya (your country of birth), Somalia (your parents' country of birth), and the United States (your country of naturalization). In the future, if coaches from those national teams contact you to offer you a place on their team, what would be your choice and why?

Abdulkadir Haji
Let me answer it completely. The freedom of choice I have between those three great countries is just a blessing for me. If the coaches approached me I would choose the United States because of the opportunity they gave me as a young boy; however, I would love to play for my parents' country Somalia. I want to represent them but the country is still at civil war since 1992 but Allah knows someday it would be safe to build a strong Somali national team and to stop the war and finally have peace. I would definitely play for Somalia Insha'Allah.

USASM: What words of advice or encouragement you have to share with other young athletes?

Abdulkadir Haji
I will like to encourage them to work hard for what they want. Run that extra mile to be better than the next person. Have God by your side because you never know what could happen and always be thankful to those who believe in you.

USASM: Before we end this interview, is there anything else you want to say to your family and friends?

Abdulkadir Haji
Yes. Firstly, I want to thank the Almighty Allah for protecting me and guiding me to the right path and for blessing me with my family and friends. I want to thank my parents Abdi Khamis and Isha Banku for being the best loving parents in the entire world. They have been there for me and advising me each day. I want to thank my sister Fatuma because she has always been my best friend and obviously she is beautiful and the best chef in the house. I want to thank my soul-mate, the beautiful Hamiday, who is loving and so amazing and supportive. Last but not least, I would like to thank my best friend Abdi Maalo who I grew up with and trained with everyday. I can't forget Abdi Karim who I consider the best striker in Vermont. He is like a brother to me and is always there for me.

USASM: Thank you for your time Abdulkadir.

Abdulkadir Haji
Thank you very much for having me