Socceroos winger Awer Mabil inspired fellow refugees long before Asian Cup success
Ex-Adelaide United board member Ian Smith knew Awer Mabil was special the moment he heard the youngster’s bold vision. Now the Socceroos winger is helping refugees thrive while inspiring them with his Asian Cup heroics.
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IAN Smith knew Awer Mabil was special the moment he heard the youngster’s bold vision.
Former Adelaide United board member Smith invited then Reds winger Mabil and his brother, Awer Bul, to his home in August, 2014, to discuss their plans for a refugee-focused charity.
A year later, Barefoot to Boots was born and the trio began delivering soccer equipment to the Kenyan refugee camp the siblings had grown up in less than a decade earlier.
“It was staggering,” said Smith, of his initial meeting with South Sudanese refugee Mabil, then 18.
“To have the maturity to think like that is quite remarkable and that’s always remained the case with Awer.
“It would be rare to find in everyday life a young Australian with that drive and that dream to create something for less fortunate people.
“But he has always got an eye on those less fortunate.
“I knew something lasting would be created from their idea. It was built around football, but it’s become something that has a lifesaving impact.”
Mabil will play the biggest game of his young career when he lines up for the Socceroos in their Asian Cup round-of-16 clash against Uzbekistan on Tuesday morning (SA time).
But the speedster, who arrived in Australia aged 10 in 2006, had already made a global mark long before his international debut last year.
At last count, Barefoot had provided more than 2000kg of football boots and kits to help Kakuma’s 185,000 refugees play the sport they love.
Its reach has spread, with beds from the old Royal Adelaide Hospital, as well as ultrasound machines, incubators and operating tables, shipped to the camp last year.
The project has also donated everything from laptops to sanitary pads and helped build learning centres, all overseen by the non-profit organisation’s patron, Mabil.
“He (Mabil) has touched an enormous number of people’s lives,” said Barefoot chair Smith. “He was always going to persevere with it, because he has had that resilience built into him through his family’s experiences and the suffering he has seen.
“It (Barefoot) has a sustainable impact from the seed that was provided by the brothers and their ongoing involvement.
“It’s not just about young men having the chance to play football, it’s about ensuring there’s equality in the camp … and helping refugees with their aspirations to learn.”
FC Midtjylland star Mabil has shone in his first major tournament, starting each of Australia’s group games and scoring two goals as his country advanced to the knockout stage.
The 23-year-old, who regularly accompanied Smith on the charity’s Kakuma trips, has demonstrated the rich talent nurtured at Adelaide and polished in the Danish top flight.
Smith said Mabil was reaping the rewards for toughing it out during loan spells at Esbjerg FB and Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira, before breaking through at his parent club.
“There have been many Australians who have left for Europe and come back when it gets tough,” said Smith, who visited Kakuma this month with his son, Conrad Stott Smith, 14.
“But he’s withstood the homesickness and turned away more lucrative opportunities in China for the opportunity that was best for his career.
“I’m proud of his success, but I’m not surprised.
“What we’re seeing from him in the Asian Cup is literally inspiring refugees to see what is possible.
“It’s not just relevant to football, it’s relevant to any aspect of life.”
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Originally published as Socceroos winger Awer Mabil inspired fellow refugees long before Asian Cup success
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