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10-year-old’s Soccer Skills Inspire Film at GFF

DUBAI — Ten-year-old Kuwaiti national Sayed Abdullah Sulaiman has the exceptional talent of leaving bystanders spell bound once he begins to play football. The youngster made his way to the Gulf Film Festival along with his father and director of the documentary ‘Sayed, Soccer Talent’, Hans Groenendijk.

Hans, a Danish national made the documentary after being inspired by the young footballer’s talent. This is Groenendijk’s first documentary, and it’s based on Sayed’s European football trail. The documentary explores themes such as cultural differences and a young Arab boy with a dream.

Groenendijk came up with the idea to make the documentary after his friend had suggested to him that a 9-year old- footballer from Kuwait had uploaded his video clip on the website soccertalent.tv which is a web site where budding soccer talents can upload their videos.

“I was immediately interested in Sayed. It took him a few days to get used to the camera because he is basically a very shy child. There wasn’t any strict story board we followed during the filming process, we just followed Sayed’s every movement around,” said Groenendijk.

Hans explained that the reason he picked Kuwait was mainly because he understood the region’s love for the game of soccer.

“If Sayed was from Brazil, or the Africa I wouldn’t have given him much a second glance. But Kuwait cannot boast of any major sports players which I think is mainly because of the hot and arid weather in the country. So the very fact that this young boy has so much potential and passion for the game even though he is so young puts him on the map instantly,” said Hans.

He added, “What makes the documentary even more interesting is the sheer contrast of cultures. On one side you have the green football fields of Holland, while on the other you have the dry landscape of Kuwait.”

After viewing his video, Sayed was invited to Feyenoord, Rotterdam and FC Barcelona for a trial, and the club’s were highly impressed with Sayed’s soccer talents. Sayed, who is already being chased by some of the biggest football teams in Europe, wants to play for FC Barcelona. A visibly shy Sayed wants to play for FC Barcelona, and eventually play for the Argentinean football team. “Other than football I love the subject Mathematics in school,” said Sayed.

Khaleej Times caught up with Sayed’s father Abdul Redha Sulaiman, a Physical Education instructor, who is extremely proud of his son. “This is a big deal, not only for my family but for my country as well. Being recognized a good footballer in the country is one thing, but being recognized a good one and being invited to Europe is an honour,” said Abdul.

Sayed, who began the game at the age of five, was first recognized by his mother who said that Sayed would chase a football at the tender age of 2.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

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