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BAHRAINI teenager Khaldoon Khalid Al Amir’s dreams of one day playing in the English Premiership may take a step closer to reality thanks to the VIVA Manchester United Soccer School initiative, writes Mai Al Khatib.
The Hamad Town hotshot was among 240 players shortlisted from thousands of enthusiasts which will be cut to just 33 this week for a week-long training adventure at the state-of-the-art academy in July.
He said: “My dream is to play for Manchester United. It is one of the best clubs in the world. I used to ask myself what is the difference between me and Cristiano Ronaldo? OK, he is an amazing player, but perhaps with enough practice and experience someday I can be too!”
The 16-year-old dropped out of secondary school to follow his dreams of becoming a professional footballer. His father, Khalid, 47, is a government ministry manager.
While he was not ‘too keen’ about his son’s decision he remains ‘extremely proud’ of the boy’s determination to succeed. Dad, in fact, was a defender for Al Ahli and was selected for the national team before injury cut short his football career. Another close relative Jamil Al Amir also starred for Bahrain in goal and played for Manama and Al Ahli.
Khaldoon currently lines-up for Manama in the Under-19 League and hopes one day to also feature in the national team and help take them all the way to the World Cup Finals.
The academy’s coaches Paul Bowles, Zeki Istanbul and Louis Garvey were in the kingdom over the weekend to overlook the trials.
