Australian footballer Awer Mabil speaks in support of multiculturalism
In Australia, footballer Awer Mabil said that he supports inclusivity and the celebration of cultural diversity. This is how he explained his reaction to calls by One Nation party leader Pauline Hanson for a “monoculture,” ABC News Australia reports.
After returning to Adelaide from Australia’s national team World Cup campaign in July, Mabil strongly rejected such calls. He later said that the response was spontaneous and that he was “just being myself.” According to the player, it is the inclusion of all people that makes Australia great, while attempts to divide society are not positive.
Support for diversity
Mabil stressed that the country’s different cultures should not merely be tolerated, but celebrated. He noted that his younger brothers were born in Australia and that each person has their own characteristics. The footballer said that after his high-profile statement, he received a great deal of support, although he also faced hatred. He added that he tries not to give in to negativity and considers it important to remain honest with himself.
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Football and aid for refugees
Awer Mabil was born in the Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya. At the age of 10, he arrived in Australia with his family as a refugee. The footballer recalled that as a child he and his friends made balls from plastic bags, and the game was a way for them to distract themselves from hardships.
After visiting Kakuma, Mabil and his brother founded the Barefoot to Boots charity. It provides football boots and equipment to refugees in camps, as well as funding hygiene products for girls, hospital equipment, educational materials and public toilets. According to the athlete, the organization donated three incubators for prematurely born babies to hospitals.
This year, Mabil signed a three-year contract with Melbourne City after a decade playing in Europe. He also represented Australia at two World Cups and was named Young Australian of the Year in 2023.
