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Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger launched on Thursday an educational foundation to support sports literacy in Sierra Leone, the west African nation where his mother was born.
Rudiger, 28, arrived on Monday during the Premier League’s international break. He stated that, “It’s a huge pleasure for me and my family to be here, I don’t see myself as a superstar because my parents always tell me to be humble – that’s why I’m here today,” Rudiger said.
“To me this foundation means a lot, because I don’t want it to be a one-man show, I want it to be something we all – most importantly the young generation and the community – can look up to,” he added.
Berlin-born Rudiger, who has 49 caps for Germany, shared a clip on his Twitter account earlier in the week with the caption: “I’m speechless – these people are crazy.
The rationale behind the formation of the foundation is to provide education, infrastructure and capacity building in the field of sport for young people. Rudiger, his brother Sahr Seneessie, as well as his father and mother, were all in attendance.
Rudiger’s mother spoke passionately about the need to do good. She emphasized the need for mothers to be patient with their husbands and should not relent to do good to others. She described herself as a good Samaritan helping everyone with an open hands. She recalled that she used to provide free accommodation to strangers and people she is not familiar with.
She further stated that many of her beneficiaries from her kind gestures usually bless her actions which she believes transcended to Rudiger and his brother. Leone Stars Players like Kei Kamara and Augustine Williams were in attendance to patronize with the Chelsea star.
Rudiger’s Original Jerseys were put on auction. The first Jersey was sold for 20,000$ and the second was also taken for $600.
The program Concludes with pledges from a variety of people. Antonio’s Rudiger has pledged $40,000, his brother Sahr has pledged $20,000, and other numerous pledges from Ministers, football Stakeholders and well wishers.
Before he Launched his foundation, he visited Anthony Navo Jr – CEO of the Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire where he presented his #2 Chelsea Jersey autographed. Rudiger has also presented his jersey autographed to the European Union Ambassador in Freetown.
Navo thanked him for the visit and officially declared AYV as partner of the Antonio Rudiger Foundation. In his remark, Antonio Rudiger felt humble by the welcome and love he was shown by the CEO.
He said his homecoming is to connect with Sierra Leoneans and has enjoyed the reception from the people so far. Rudiger appreciated the effort of AYV in pushing the youth and young people of Sierra Leone. He talked about his love for Sierra Leone and the things he is working on to help Sierra Leonean talents grow
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this overwhelming welcome, Sierra Leone. God bless you all.”
Since his arrival he has watched the Sierra Leone Amputee Football Club play, prompting the star to say “life is not about hope it’s about the faith in realising your dreams on your own”.
He has often spoken out against racism in the sport, most notably after a match against Tottenham in February 2020.
In 2021, he wrote a piece for The Players’ Tribune, entitled “This Article Will Not Solve Racism in Football”.
During the announcement Thursday he was flanked by his mother and brothers as they sang a Christian song, “My God I’m very grateful for what you have done for me”, to applause.
The ceremony concluded with a 36,000 euros pledge by Rudiger and an auction for his autographed No. 2 Chelsea jersey which sold to a fan for $2,000.
Before he Launched his foundation, he visited Anthony Navo Jr – CEO of the Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire where he presented his #2 Chelsea Jersey autographed. Rudiger also presented his jersey autographed to the European Union Ambassador.
Navo thanked him for the visit and officially declared AYV as partner of the Antonio Rudiger Foundation. In his remark, Antonio Rudiger felt humble by the welcome and love he was shown by the CEO.
He said his homecoming is to connect with Sierra Leoneans and has enjoyed the reception from the people so far. Rudiger appreciated the effort of AYV in pushing the youth and young people of Sierra Leone. He talked about his love for Sierra Leone and the things he is working on to help Sierra Leonean talents grow
