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Alexandros ‘Bibli’ Babiolakis has come a long way from cleaning football kits at the Rugby Club in Saar to earning a soccer scholarship in the US.
The 19-year-old is back in Bahrain for the holidays after a stellar opening football season starring in 15 games at Georgia South-Western State University in America.
He has been playing on the wing with Hurricanes in the Peach Belt Conference, an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II.
The Greek freshman, studying sports management, graduated from St Christopher’s School and used to spend many days and nights at the Rugby Club as his parents, Mano and Rena, run the popular Mano’s Bistro there.
During his growing-up years he often sat on the sidelines watching the Rugby Club’s senior soccer team, Expat League champions Oak FC, taking to the field.
Alex, from Saar, said: “When I moved from Zimbabwe to Bahrain everyone I met played football so playing in school at break times was how I got more involved in the sport.
“But my most memorable football moments would have to be the days I would sit on the sidelines at the Rugby Club watch the senior football team play and wishing I could run out with them. All my friends, including me, used to wait for any opportunity for the team to be short of a few players and be asked to join in.
“After every training session I would gather up all their training tops and take them to the laundry room at the club to be washed. It was a rite of passage as the youngest has to earn the right to play by doing the dirty work first. I was glad to do it in the hope that it could secure me a spot on the team.
“I eventually got a chance to play for the team at the age of 14. I think I played the last few minutes of a game and although I didn’t even touch the ball, to just walk on was a privilege.”
Alex went on to play for the U16 team at the club coached by senior players Gary Murray and Derrick Rodney. Eventually they became his teammates in the main team.
He added: “Derrick and Gary have helped me with attitude on the pitch as well as off it. To play with them one day then work under them on another day of the week was a great experience for me because they would always help me and encourage me.
“Even to this day they are supportive and always try to guide me in order to improve my game. I see Derrick as a friend as well as a coach. I have a lot of respect for him. He always has something positive to say. It’s nice to have people like him around.”
According to bank executive and part-time centre forward Derrick, Alex always had a love for the game. He said: “From a young age it was clear that Alex had a strong desire to develop in the sport, spending hours in and around the club.
“As a young boy, there was perhaps more desire than proven ability as he took his chubby self to the pitch full of enthusiasm. One would like to think that he was greatly encouraged by the first XI seniors playing at the local sports club!
“To his credit he knew that to succeed in his quest he would have to dedicate time to a regime of health and fitness training to build up his stamina as well as ensuring dietary discipline, which was no mean feat given the temptations of a family business dishing up culinary delights. As he grew into his teens, it was clear that this had worked as he grew taller and more physically toned.
“Alex was coached as a teenager and was able to vastly develop his ability. This culminated in him being given his ‘England Call Up’ as he was picked for the first XI team at the tender age of 14!
“He continued to develop making him an instant pick and regular team member, clearly benefiting and thriving in an adult playing environment.”
Coach Gary contacted his friend, John Calderwood, a sports agent in the US, and sent a video of Alex in action. The teenager, with help from his agent, received a number of offers before deciding on Georgia South-Western State University and he is thrilled to have moved to the US.
Football, known as soccer in the US, has grown in stature and popularity since hosting the FIFA World Cup Finals and attracting top international players into its domestic league such as David Beckham.
The former England football captain joined LA Galaxy in the Major League Soccer and recently left for new challenges after winning two major trophies.
Alex said: "You don’t realise how big the sport is until you get here. Soccer is growing every day and that’s thanks to big names such as Beckham who helped make a major improvement on the game and increased its exposure.
"Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry now plays for New York Red Bulls and is also making a huge impression. The US national team is also doing well.
"I am extremely happy to be playing in the US, waking up in the morning and walking to the pitch which is about 10 minutes away from my dormitory. I have gotten a lot of play time and am gaining so much experience there. The league is also very competitive as there are a lot of international players.
"When the season starts we train for three hours every day. I go back to the US in January but at first will focus on my academic studies until pre-season kicks off again.
"The training regimen is intense and everything is at a fast pace. When I first joined I was given a contract to sign which made me feel like a true professional and I had to abide by the strict health and fitness guidelines.
"The professional teams will watch you play as they like to scout for the best college players. At the moment I want to focus on my game and getting my degree, then hopefully start playing professionally.
"I would love to play for Manchester United but at this moment I will take what I get, even if it means playing in a lower division and working my way up.
"My personal goal is always to improve so it doesn’t bother me where I start."
Alex is currently recovering from a knee injury which kept him out of the last two college games and is undergoing physiotherapy.
He added: "I couldn’t have asked for more supportive parents. They have always given me their backing. I’d also like to thank my 15-year-old sister Andrea as well as my older brother Pavlos, 23, who has inspired me and been my best friend.
"I would also like to thank everyone in Bahrain who has supported me and believed in me. I couldn’t have asked for better people to have around."
