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In 2012, I was an officer in the US Navy, and volunteered to become a UN Peacekeeper to Liberia, a small West African nation ravaged by consecutive civil wars. Every few months, we could take a shuttle flight to nearby Accra, Ghana, home of the famous Ghanian Black Stars, for some rest and relaxation. It was during my 1st R&R to Accra that a fellow American Peacekeeper and I met Seidu Ajanako at a city beach. I had noticed Seidu working on volleyball drills by himself at the edge of the beach. I was impressed with his athleticism and the intensity of his workout. After playing a pick-up volleyball game, which he completely dominated, we invited him to our table.
I could tell Seidu was one of the good guys, a well educated young man with a great spirit and genuinely kind demeanor. We sparked a friendship, and the next day he invited me for a workout and private tour at the famous Black Star Stadium, home to the beloved and talented national soccer team. We have kept in touch in the 4 years since our meeting, and when I learned through Facebook why he is trying to reach the Rio Olympics, I knew I had to try and help him reach his goal.
Seidu graduated from California Baptist University in 2008, having received a volleyball scholarship to fund his studies. He returned to Ghana to work with youth athletes, and by 2014 was employed as the Coach of the National Youth Volleyball Team of the Ghanian Federation. He led the team in qualifying for the 2014 Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China. Seidu competes for the Senior National 2-Man Team as well, where he and his partner qualified from Africa to compete in the FIVB World Championships in Holland. He and his partner have won 2 Bronze Medals at the All-Africa Games in 2011 and the Tunisia - Africa Championships in 2015.
Seidu's goal is to attend the Athletes in Action Internship he's been selected for during the upcoming Rio Olympics. Athletes in Action is a Christian organization, and the 3 week internship will further refine Seidu's abilities to meld Christian principals and lessons with high level youth athletics. His ultimate goal is helping boys become strong Christian men in their communities through intense athletic training and high level competition.
Lets help Seidu on his Rio Mission. And in the spirit of the Games, he'll take the Olympic flame and keep spreading it in his native Ghana.
Pics: 1. Seidu in action 2. Me during a Peacekeeping patrol in Liberia.
I could tell Seidu was one of the good guys, a well educated young man with a great spirit and genuinely kind demeanor. We sparked a friendship, and the next day he invited me for a workout and private tour at the famous Black Star Stadium, home to the beloved and talented national soccer team. We have kept in touch in the 4 years since our meeting, and when I learned through Facebook why he is trying to reach the Rio Olympics, I knew I had to try and help him reach his goal.
Seidu graduated from California Baptist University in 2008, having received a volleyball scholarship to fund his studies. He returned to Ghana to work with youth athletes, and by 2014 was employed as the Coach of the National Youth Volleyball Team of the Ghanian Federation. He led the team in qualifying for the 2014 Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China. Seidu competes for the Senior National 2-Man Team as well, where he and his partner qualified from Africa to compete in the FIVB World Championships in Holland. He and his partner have won 2 Bronze Medals at the All-Africa Games in 2011 and the Tunisia - Africa Championships in 2015.
Seidu's goal is to attend the Athletes in Action Internship he's been selected for during the upcoming Rio Olympics. Athletes in Action is a Christian organization, and the 3 week internship will further refine Seidu's abilities to meld Christian principals and lessons with high level youth athletics. His ultimate goal is helping boys become strong Christian men in their communities through intense athletic training and high level competition.
Lets help Seidu on his Rio Mission. And in the spirit of the Games, he'll take the Olympic flame and keep spreading it in his native Ghana.
Pics: 1. Seidu in action 2. Me during a Peacekeeping patrol in Liberia.