ACCRA, GHANA Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye He wants to make American football more popular in Liberia, the country where his family is from.
Paye was adopted by a Liberian Krahn mom in a refugee camp in Guinea. family was torn apart by the First Liberian Civil War. Six months after his birth, he moved to Providence with his mother, Komotay, and his brother Komotay.
Liberia is a soccer-loving nation. Their president, George Weah is the only African to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award and the Ballon d’Or award. He leveraged his national hero status as a former AC Milan and Chelsea star, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester City star, in the 2017 election. become state president in January 2018.
Paye stated to the media that his country’s preferred sport was soccer at this weekend’s NFL Africa event. [in Liberia].
“A lot of the funding that they receive from other places goes all for soccer. There are other sports available in Liberia. I would love for American football to be brought to Liberia.
Paye spoke after assisting with the NFL’s inaugural camp in Africa last Wednesday at Ghana’s Right to Dream Academy with other stars of African descent from Ghana. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Cleveland Browns) and Nigerians Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Houston Texans) and Uchenna Nwosu (Seattle Seahawks).
Mathias Kiwanuka in Uganda, Roman Oben in Cameroon and Osi Umenyiora in Nigeria were also involved.
49 young prospects, aged 16-22, were present at the camp. They competed for places in the NFL International Player Pathway programme as well as the NFL Academy.
The majority of them were from Nigeria and Ghana. Three prospects were South African, two Senegalese, one Congolese.
Paye could have it his way: Liberian talent would soon be present at such events. “I definitely want back and make some memories.
“This trip was inspirational. “I’ve been thinking about what the future holds. [football] Projects I can do back at Liberia
Paye, who was awarded a scholarship to University of Michigan because of his football skills, sees the NFL’s involvement with Africa as not only a way for young people to get into the league but also as a gateway to education and overall success.
He stated that he felt like a lot Africans were proud of their roots and that they get to be able to inspire future generations.
“I think that’s sort of my main focus – or our major focus – in inspiring others after us. This game allowed me to care for my family. This is what we want to see. We’re here to help these kids get a job, and an education so that they can take good care of their families.