Koulibaly inspires next generation in Bahrain

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Kalidou Koulibaly, the celebrated defender for Al-Hilal and captain of the Senegal national team, was greeted with overwhelming enthusiasm during his visit to the British School of Bahrain (BSB) yesterday. Students cheered his arrival, chanting his name and vying for pictures as he toured the school’s grounds, embodying the hero status he has earned throughout his years in football.

Speaking exclusively to Hussain Almaskati of TDT, Koulibaly emphasized the importance of relentless effort. “The only advice I can give is to work, work a lot. I was never the best, but I worked to be one of the best,” he remarked, addressing young defenders striving to meet the demands of modern football.”

Defender’s Perspective

Reflecting on his move to Saudi Arabia, Koulibaly admitted he initially knew little about Middle Eastern football. However, he has been pleasantly surprised by the region’s progress. “I see good teams in the Middle East— Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait. The investment in academies like Tekkers and Real Madrid Academy is impressive.” Koulibaly lauded Bahrain’s efforts in nurturing young talent, acknowledging that “children are the adults of tomorrow”, emphasizing the need for continuous development.

Championing African Football

Koulibaly also spoke with pride about Africa’s growing stature in football, inspired by Morocco’s historic run in the 2022 World Cup. “We need to build Africa with young players and national teams. Morocco’s success is a testament to what we can achieve. And today we see that Morocco can also host the World Cup. This is a big step forward so we have to be happy”, he said. His commitment extends beyond the pitch; Koulibaly is actively working on establishing a football academy in Senegal to foster the next generation of talent, blending education and athletic development:

“We have to make them go to school, learn good things, study, and also play good football. It’s a good combination to make a good player, to be intelligent on and off the pitch.”

Special Day at BSB

The head teacher of the British School of Bahrain, Liz Stanley, expressed excitement about Koulibaly’s visit: “We’re delighted to welcome Kalidou Koulibaly to the British School of Bahrain today as our special guest. We’re very privileged and honoured to have him visit us to inspire our students. Students got the chance to find out more about his career, and the path that he took to become so successful in football.” “Some of our lucky under-19 football team students had a training session with him and got some fabulous tips from him. So it’s a really exciting day for students, but we’re also excited to welcome him because this year we’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of the school.”

She further highlighted the school’s charitable initiatives: “From January, we’re launching a year-long charitable campaign to raise money to send 10,000 underprivileged students to school in different countries around the world. One of the countries we’re going to support is Kalidou’s home country of Senegal, so we’re also very happy that he’s going to be helping us with our charitable campaign and supporting us with that.”

Lasting Impression

Koulibaly’s day at BSB left a lasting impact on Bahrain’s football community, inspiring both players and fans. He expressed his optimism about the future: “I hope the young will grow stronger and build a better future,” he concluded, capturing the essence of his message: football is not just a game but a vehicle for change and unity