Alphonso Davies has become the first footballer ever to be a Global Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich left-back, made a new history. The Canadian footballer has become the first footballer ever to be appointed as a Global Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR.
Davies' appointment as UNHCR ambassador was inseparable from his background. His parents were refugees from Liberia and he was born in a refugee camp in Ghana. Then, they got asylum from the Canadian government to pursue a better life in the country when Davies was a 5-year-old boy. The 20-year-old footballer is now one of the most famous young footballers in the world.
Davies' background and inspirational story was acknowledged by Filippo Grandi, the Chair of UNHCR, as the main factor for Davies being the new ambassador. He said that Davies illustrates the power of sport and that they are honored to have him join UNHCR.
Furthermore, Grandi said that sport has tremendous power to offer hope, heal, and help shape a future for those who are forced to flee their homes. In working with refugees, he sees the power of sport in elevating their lives.
Alphonso Davies said that he is proud to join the UNHCR as a goodwill ambassador, and said that his personal experience makes him want to raise a voice for the refugees, tell their stories and help make a difference.
Davies said that refugees need our help to survive, and also access to education and sport so they can fulfill their potential.
Currently, at least 79.5 million people are forced to flee their homes and live as refugees. That's more than one percent of global population. For a better perspective, population of United Kingdom is 67.8 million people, now imagine the whole country becomes refugees. Hate and greed fuels conflicts and wars that forced people to flee their homes.
I live in a country which located between Asia continent and Australia continent. We often see people packed in a small boat from Africa, Middle East, and Southeast Asia flee their hometown to avoid war trying to get to Australia. They often stranded in Sumatera where they live there for months and even years in refugee camps.
Can you imagine how it feels to live in refugee camp for years? Millions of people become stateless, have no papers to let them enter to the job market. Just staying alive without purpose.
I congratulate Alphonso Davies for his success and good life despite his background story, but Davies is only a boy, there are still nearly 80 million people out there who still live as refugees. Still a long road to create heaven on Earth.
It's a good thing that Davies uses his fame from football to raise awareness about our world harsh reality. Sport shouldn't be means to distract our eyes away from real problems, celebrities in sport should be the voice of the voiceless.
If you think that refugee is 'other people' problem, then you are mistaken. It can happen to anyone. War, conflicts, earthquake, flood, storm can happen and make you a refugee in no time.With big names talk about it, I hope the voice can be heard by more people.
But, refugee and many other social problems are alway political. Refugees exist in the first place because of politics, and issue with their asylum is also political. Furthermore, we need political measures to end refugee and its causes. It makes me wonder what will happen to footballers if they voice it? Will they be expelled from games because they bring politics to football?
What do you think of footballer who bring politics to the field like Frédéric Kanoute when he showed his support to the oppressed Palestinian? Kanoute was given a yellow card for his action back then in Copa Del Rey 2009 after he scored a goal and bring Sevilla won 2-1 against Deportivo La Coruna.
Nothing is not political.
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