SPORTS LOUNGE
caught up with Arafat Haruna. The 18 year old Ghanaian footballer who is making
the headlines in the Indian League….
SL: TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR
SELF?
AH:
Am from a family of 6 ... I was bone in Accra but I come from the Northern Region,
precisely Tamale. Am the last but one born among my Siblings. I started my
education at Flagstaff House Basic School before I got the opportunity to
travel oversees at a tender age.
SL: WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO
TAKE FOOTBALL AS A CAREER?
AH:
[Smiles] coz I love the Game of football so much. Football is my life has
always been my passion. I have love football since I was young. And my mum even
saw it. [Smiles again].
SL: HOW DID YOUR FOOTBALL
CAREER START?
AH:
Ok I will say I started my football career way back when I was in school. At
age 10 I was with Right to Dream Academy for about 2ys from there I went to
King Doko a 2nd team of Tudu Mighty Jets FC. Then I got the opportunity to
travel to India where I am playing now. I remember I captained my school in an
Inter-School football game at the El-Wak sports stadium where there were many dignitaries.
I actual came out as one of the best players in the tournament and was invited
into the 5th Garrison zone team to prepare for the Milo competition
in Kumasi. I also had a very good tournament there as well. So one man (whom doesn’t
like his name to be mentioned) approached me and by God’s grace everything
started from there.
SL: WHICH TEAM DO YOU PLAY
AND WHAT POSITION DO YOU PLAY
AH:
Am playing a team call Indore FC and I play as I striker. I sometime play
behind the striker as well. But my actual position is the number 9 position.
SL: HOW DIFFERENT IS INDIAN
FOOTBALL TO THAT OF GHANA?
AH:
I will say India football is a little bit hard than Ghana Football ... Coz when
we playing all the team want nothing but win. I will say it similar to the EPL
cos there is a lot of running in the game.
SL: HOW MANY GOALS HAVE YOU
SCORED SINCE JOINING INDORE FC?
AH:
I will say so far so good. I have played 30 games and thank God I have scored
26 goals of which 22 of them have come from open play and I think 4 from the
spot kick if my memory serves me right.
SL: APART FROM PLAYING WHAT
ELSE DO YOU ENJOY DOING?
AH:
I enjoy playing video games or listing to music. I sometimes also watch old
clips of me. Because I always want to see the mistakes I did in a gem and
correct them so I usually watch my video clips.
SL: WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE
LOVED TO BECOME IF NOT A FOOTBALLER?
AH:
I would have loved to be a Fashion designer. I like Fashion so much. I always
want to look good anytime. So I will say being a fashion designer would have
been my next option if I didn’t become a footballer.
SL: WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR CHALLENGES
SINCE GOING TO INDIA?
AH:
Emmm...I will say the language barrier was a major problem. I couldn’t really
communicate with my team mate. But thankfully my coach could speak a little
English so he could communicate with me in English. But then there some other
English speaking guys in the team as well. There were American’s, Nigerians
etc, so I was usually close to them better cos they could communicate with me
easier. At a point in time there were my translators. [Smiles]. But I think am
ok now cos I can speak the language a lil bit even though am not perfect.
SL: HOW IS A TYPICAL DAY IN
INDIA LIKE?
AH:
Yea is just normal. I wake up, pray and then go to training in the morning. I
come back home and rest. Sometimes when am back from training I play Tv Game
all day. Yea, I think is just a normal living.
SL: HAVE YOU EVER BEEN
INVITED TO PLAY FOR ANY OF THE JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAMS OF GHANA? If No, are you
looking forward to be invited to play for any of the junior national teams one
day?
AH:
No I have not been invited. But I hope I will be invited to play for one of the
national teams pretty soon. Cos am a Ghanaian and I would loved to be in my colors
one day. I was approached by the Indian FA to play for their under 17 and under
20 but I didn’t because I am a Ghanaian and would like to play for Ghana.
SL: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE
NUMBER?
AH:
I always like to wear the number 19 jersey. I don’t really know why but then I just
like to wear it.
SL: WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?
AH:
Samuel Eto’o. I like him very much especially the attitude he shows on the
field of play. I like the determination he shows on the field anytime he is
playing. And most importantly we have almost the same characteristics. I think
our style of play is the same. And to me he is one of African’s great
footballers at all time.
SL: WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE
BLACK STARS PLAY?
AH:
I will say Asamoah Gyan. For me he has been very instrumental and consistent
for the black stars for quite some time and I think he still has a lot to give
to the black stars.
SL: WHAT HAS BEEN THE
GREATEST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?
AH:
Emmm..I think the best is yet to come and I am looking forward to that.
SL: WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE TO
MAINSTREAM EUROPE TO PLAY IN THE NEAR FUTURE? AND PARTICULARLY WHAT LEAGUE
WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY IN?
AH:
Yea, I will like to play in the EPL. To me is the best league in the World and
that is where you can play cool football and also with cool mind. The EPL is a
big league and every footballer would love to play there. I like the pacy
nature of the league.
SL: WHAT TEAM WOULD YOU
LIKE TO PLAY IN THE EPL?
AH:
I would like to play Man City. I like their style of play and I think it is one
of the best teams in the World right now.
SL: WHAT TEAM DO YOU
SUPPORT?
AH:
I love Man. City and PSG.
SL: DO YOU HAVE ANY GHANAIAN
TEAM YOU SUPPORT?
AH: Yea,
Kotoko. I like Kotoko.
SL: ANY FAVORITE DISH?
AH:
[Smiles]. Yea. I enjoy eating Fufu. I like Fufu. Yea, I think that is my favorite.
SL: YOUR EXPECTATIONS IN
THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
AH:
To be playing for the Black Stars.
By Frank
Darkwah
Follow Frank Darkwah on twitter.@Blaqqkoffi
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