Awer Mabil: ‘Mixed day’ for Socceroo named Young Australian of the Year

Amid the accolades from his teammates, coaches, friends and family, Socceroo Awer Mabil says his sister – who died four years ago – ‘would be most proud’.

Young Australian of the Year Awer Mabil. Picture: Getty Images

Socceroo Awer Mabil has told of his “mixed day”, being honoured as Young Australian of the Year on the anniversary of the death of his much loved sister.

Mabil was chosen for the award for his leadership in establishing a foundation to assist refugee children in Kakuma camp, Northern Kenya called Barefoot to Boots, but amid the accolades from his teammates, coaches, friends and family, the 27-year-old said his sister Bor “would be most proud’’.

Bor, aged 19, died on January 26, 2019 when she was a passenger in a car that crashed in the early hours of the morning.

“I feel that she’s there and her energy is always with us,’’ Mabil said.

“It is a strange, strange day because this day four years ago, it happened on the 26th, so it’s a mixed day.’’

Mabil, who is currently in the Czech Republic playing for Sparta Prague, had his mother Agot Dauatm accept his award from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House. He said he could see his mother was shaking with excitement when he spoke to her on Facetime soon afterwards.

Anthony Albanese presents the Young Australian of the Year award to Awer Mabil’s mother and uncle. Picture: Getty

Mabil had scored the penalty goal that propelled the Socceroos into the world cup in Qatar, but he said being named Young Australian of the Year “one of the biggest, if not the biggest moment of my life”.

He said: “Being recognised from such a great country… it is something I didn’t intend to win. This is a great moment.”

Mabil came to South Australia aged 10 after growing up in the Kakuma camp when his family fled the violence in South Sudan.

He began his football career in earnest when he rode his scooter 50 minutes to an Adelaide training camp held by Travis Dodd - the first indigenous player to score a goal in international competition - who gave him his jacket because it was cold. In 2014 Mabil, alongside his brother Awer But, returned to Kakuma, taking with them a bag full of football shoes and playing shirts, and proper, “not plastic” footballs, which kickstarted his foundation, which now delves into social care, health and education.

Mabil said: “Once I got the chance to come to Australia I am representing not just me, not just my family, but you know the kids in the refugee camp that really don’t get the chance. I always picture myself with the kids back there.”

Mabil’s foundation is looking at building an artificial grassed football pitch at Kakuma but he said his biggest achievement has been organising for two incubators at the Kakuma local hospital.

“That for me is the biggest achievement because you’re giving life or increasing the possibility of these kids surviving instead of being just wrapped up in some clothes, that for me is the most touching moment and the most emotional’’ he said.