Our Global and African village!

The current African Footballer of the Year is Arsenal and Togo striker, Emmanuel Adebayor. Adebayor’s tall frame, sublime skill and blistering pace has distinguished him as, not only an icon and hero, but also as a very scary opponent and appreciated teammate. Ade (nickname) rates with the likes of Drogba, Kaka and Rooney and is currently one of footballs hottest stars.

It is thus to no surprise that Adelino Jeque, GDM’s previous captain, named his newly born son after the Arsenal hero: Adebayor! Adelino is currently at university and a very proud new father. Mozambique has relatively few Arsenal fans and that coupled with demands of family traditions, means that it was a pretty gutsy move to name his son Adebayor! “I stick to my choice, just as Adebayor is special, my son is also special” said a relaxed Adelino.

Schalk van Heerden (GDM Vice President) wrote to Alan Sefton (Head: Arsenal in the Community) and told him about the little Ade, living in the town of Manica, Mozambique.

It is surely good for the young soccer stars (like Adebayor) to realize the impact and effect they have on ordinary people and how the stars in London, UK is linked with the rural people in a place like Manica, Mozambique!

A few weeks later an inconspicuous little envelope arrived in Johannesburg- from London. Inside? A picture of Adebayor (the Arsenal one) signed by the man himself:

Adelino,

Best wishes, from one Adebayor to another.

Signed, no 25 - Ade.

Now, if there has ever been a special piece of sporting memorabilia, this must be it! Especially when little Ade grows up and sees that his birth was recognized by the man he was named after. If you’re not into football, and you don’t really get it, don’t worry. But for those who understand the game, the hype, the hope- this story is really special.

So, thank you Alan and Ade, for doing something special to a small one year-old boy and his dad, and for lifting the spirits of a whole town!