Ummi

I am a soccer fan and a very good soccer player as well. Everytime I used to score a goal or save a shot in my soccermatches, I always used to do a celebration for my mum.Whether it was running around and making a heart with myhand and holding it out towards her or blowing her a kiss.Each time I would do such a gesture, my friends would makefun of me and tease me on being such a mama’s boy and still ababy. Little did they know that it was through my Mum’sefforts, sacrifices and prayers I am standing here on thissoccer field.Ever since I learned to walk, a soccer ball would always be bymy feet. When my parents realized how inseparable the balland I were, they put me in a soccer club at a very young age.My parents also invested time in teaching me various soccerskills. Every day after school, my parents used to take me tothe soccer pitch and practise. As I got older, I improved, andalways with my parents by my side.Every single time I would score they would cheer so loud to apoint where they actually ran out of breath! When my littlesister was born, my mum would stay at home, and my dadwould take me for training and to the soccer matches. We hadto move a lot as well, because I kept getting offers from

different soccer clubs, but my parents didn’t mind, and wouldalways be encouraging and accommodating.Then one day, my dad got a letter in the mail inviting me to aclub in Western Australia. This was a big moment for me. I hadnever been requested to play interstate – I didn’t think I wasgood enough for that. My parents knew how passionate I wasfor soccer and within a few weeks we were ready to moveinterstate.In the club, everyone was curious to know about me and theposition I played. The new soccer club wanted to try me out indifferent positions. In some matches, I played as defender andin some attacker. I even played as midfielder. Even though, Iplayed different positions, one thing stayed the same, mycelebrations. Every time I stopped a goal or scored a goal, Iwould make a celebration for my mother. She loved it! Shewould cheer me on more.The only problem was that my teammates used to make funof me, calling me a baby and a wuss. I tried to tell them that Iwas showing my affection to my mother and that they shoulddo the same. Still, they ridiculed and teased me, but I didn’tcare. Even though, the teasing would annoy me and make mefeel left out, but I was my own person, and I would remindmyself how far I’ve come only because of my parents’encouragement and support.One day, our coach announced the end of season matchagainst our bitter rivals, South Australia FC. All of us wereexcited and nervous at the same time. South Australia FC wasa really good team, the boys were giants, and they had an

intimidating attitude on the field, The coach gave us a goodtalk on how playing together a s a team mattered, showingthe team spirit, skill and having fun was important.Soon, the day of the match arrived. It was warm and sunny,and the match was in our home ground. The match began andit looked like we would lose but surprisingly we held on. Imanaged to score a hat trick and save more than fifteen shots.Each time I celebrated using affectionate gestures for mymum. At half time, the scores were 5-5. In the second half Itried desperately to get another goal and made wonderfulassists, but they were all squandered. At fulltime the scoreswere the same: 5-5.The game continued to extra time and two of my teammatesgot a goal each! Things seemed pretty good for us. As webegan the second half of extra time, most of the team gotconfident and once again it was a tie: 7-7. I was fuming! Wewere just about to win! I looked up at my mum and she gaveme a thumbs up. The match was to be decided in penaltiesand I was going to go first!I put the ball on the marked spot and made a small dua in myheart. As I heard the whistle blow, I felt a surge of adrenalinein my body, I said bismillah and ran up to the ball and kicked ithard as if I was in the world cup! As I heard the crowd cheer, Ilooked up and saw the ball in the goal undoubtedly. I was sohappy, I ran around the pitch, climbed on a board thenpointed at my mother while making a heart shape and blewher a kiss.

Another one of our players walked up and shot but he missed.I felt like storming out of the stadium as we conceded anothergoal. 3-1. At this rate we were going to lose! I turned aroundonly to see the ball sailing into the top bin. I ran to hug myfriend who may have just changed our fortunes! “4-2,”announced the commentator shakily another South Australiaplayer walked up to score. He shot and our goalkeeper savedit! It was in! as we walked off the pitch, I felt like punching thecommentator in the face! He was just ranting on and on abouthow well they had played and what a great victory for SouthAustralian FC it was.The South Australian team walked up to the podium to gettheir trophy. My team and I also clapped for them. Lastly, theman of the match was to be announced, and much to mysurprise, I heard the commentator speak, “The man of thematch for this season has been agreed upon by all, on thebasis of his respect, love, honour and unshakable affectiontowards his mother. We all witnessed how affectionately thisplayer acknowledged his mother in each and every attempt ofsave or score. The board here has unanimously voted forIbrahim Hamzah along with his mother for the man of thematch! I request Ibrahim up here on stage along with hismum.”My jaw dropped open and I just froze. Was the commentatorreally calling me with my mum on stage. I heard someone callout my name behind me, I turned around and saw my mumwalking towards me being accompanied by the guards. Mymum was as much surprised as me. As we walked up on stage

and received the man of the match trophy, I saw the entirecrowd cheer and clap. Truly, my celebration gestures hadclearly impacted everyone around.I turned towards my mum and I gave her a big hug and a kissand spoke in the mike, “Thank you. I am greatly humbledbeing chosen the man of the match, tonight I stand here onlybecause of my parents who have went above and beyond inhelping me pursue my passion. I want to thank my parents,especially my mum, for being my rock and I wish I can do thesame for her always.” As I walked down the stage, my teammembers all gathered around me and patted me on my back. Icould see the respect in their eyes and never again did theytease or mock me on my gestures.