Serve the City Volunteer Maxence Rouviere recently interviewed Faris Alameen from STCP football team; Les Gars de Ville

1) Firstly, how do you think the football season has been going so far?

We just started the season. The last season was good for us. Now I’m optimistic for the new season because of the addition of new good players, and we still have good players from before. So I think we will go so far, and that’s so clear to me because of the desire and commitment of the guys.

2) What have been the strengths of the team?

This team’s biggest strength of the team is that the guys feel like they are brothers, one family. The goal of forming this team is to give these guys opportunities to practice what they love. When someone comes to the team, they get a lot of love, and they make friendships, so we are very connected; this team is like one person.

3) How long have you been on the team, and what is your best memory with them?

I have been on the team for a year and a half, from the beginning of its establishment, and I have had so many good memories with them. We celebrated birthdays with the players. My favourite memory was this summer when we participated in a one-day tournament, and we spent the whole day together. I remember we played well and were only 2 points away from winning the tournament. So that day was full of fun and celebration.

4) Before joining this team, did you play football a lot? What position do you play?

Yes, of course. In my country, I was a professional player for a first division team. I played 3 years in the first division, but after that, it was not continuous because I was studying in another city. When I arrived here, I played for the association’s team, and with my Sudanese friend. I am always playing football. And I play in the middle as a number 10 playmaker.

5) You received refugee status this year. What challenges did you face in this process?

The thing I suffered most from that was the tension that accompanied all the stages of the process and the long waiting. In the first stage, I was afraid of being returned to Italy. During the second
stage, I was afraid that my application would be rejected by the government. So for like two years, I was waiting in the unknown. I didn’t know when the decision would be made or what the outcome would be. It was very hard for me.

6) How was STCP or the football team able to support you along this process?

When I arrived here, I was in the Dublin Stage for my asylum request. I was supposed to wait a long time for it to be processed here in France. I was alone, I didn’t have any friends here, and I didn’t know anything since the country was new to me. So I came to this association first for the language exchange. I met a lot of friends, and after that, I became part of the team. What I needed at that time was psychological support, and they really helped with that. When I came here, I got this support with all the beautiful members of the association, and they protected me. I was able to come here to consult them on things I didn’t know about. It was a good help for me. Nate was one of the most important members to me. He is like an older brother to me and was with me through all the stages of my asylum application. He always asked me about my family and what steps I was taking. I am very grateful to him for that.

7) Now that you have this status, what are you looking forward to doing next?

Now it’s like a new life starts for me. I have a lot of dreams. I’m going to study electricity here, maybe at university or in a “centre de formation.” I am going to work and make my life here. So that’s what I’m gonna do. And I will be continuing with the team!