Refugee footballer al-Araibi targeting Australia’s A-League

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MELBOURNE, Feb 22, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi has
resumed training in Australia and revealed a dream to play in the domestic A-
League, but admits he is out shape after two months in a Thai jail.

The 25-year-old defender returned to Melbourne earlier this month after
being detained during his honeymoon in Bangkok and threatened with
extradition to his native Bahrain.

Bahraini authorities accuse him of offences linked to the 2011 Arab Spring
uprisings. But his detention sparked a worldwide outcry and he was eventually
allowed back to Australia where he was granted asylum in 2014.

Al-Araibi ran back onto the training field this week with his second-tier
club Pascoe Vale, and told The Melbourne Age newspaper he had a long-term
goal to crack the A-League.

“I will start the training now and do my best. I want to see my future. I
want to be in the A-League in the future. I am not ready now, but if I work
hard, get better, maybe,” he said.

The A-League is planning to expand from 10 teams to 12 and one of the new
franchises, Melbourne-based Western United, is currently scouring state
leagues for new players.

The newspaper said they planned to assess al-Araibi’s credentials once he
builds up his strength.

But the road back will be tough for a player whose fitness levels suffered
during his time in a tiny Thai cell.

“I just did one training session before I went away so I have to work. I
did some exercise in prison, but it’s a very small area. There is not enough
room for a football player to get fit,” he said.

“I did as good a job as I can. Sometimes I went to the gym, but it’s not
enough. I could run a little bit, but there are many people in the jail, it’s
very hard for me to find the space.”

Al-Araibi’s fate became a cause celebre in the football world, with stars
like Didier Drogba calling for his release and FIFA urging the Thai football
authorities to intervene.

He said his Pascoe Vale teammates gave him a “very special welcome” on his
return.

“They supported me and my wife — it’s why I will always support this club
and I want to work hard for this club,” he said.