PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Samuel Eto’o is an international football superstar. He is a hero to his home country of Cameroon and all of Africa sings his praises. With the 2014 World Cup currently underway, Eto’o is under the spotlight now more than ever. Despite his fame, Samuel Eto’o gives back to those who helped him achieve his stardom.
Samuel Eto’o knows that without help along the way, leading his country’s national team into the World Cup would have remained little more than a dream.
“I have had a lot of challenges and I thank the good God because I have overcome them. I still have challenges and I pray that he will help me to overcome them as well,” Eto’o said.
One of the major inspirations that helped him overcome challenges was another striker from Cameroon, Roger Milla. Milla was a major influence in Eto’o’s life. Milla gave him the inspiration to succeed.
Now, Eto’o hopes to be that inspiration for a new generation of African children.
“I want to give back to Africa what Africa gives to me,” Eto’o said.
In 2006, Eto’o established the nonprofit organization, the Samuel Eto’o Private Foundation, to raise awareness of the grave conditions that young children face in his home country, though the organization operates throughout the African continent.
The priority of his nonprofit organization is to protect disadvantaged youth in West Africa. His organization addresses health and educational concerns to lift struggling children and their families out of crippling poverty.
The three goals of the Eto’o Foundation all tie into fighting poverty in Africa. The Foundation seeks to ensure a basic level of health for all, to provide quality education to children who would otherwise remain uneducated, and to assist in the healthy development of African children as they integrate into society.
The goal of development is perhaps the most enjoyable for Eto’o, as it includes football training for African youth. Every year, Eto’o takes time out of his busy football schedule to personally host training camps for hundreds of African kids.
Coupled with the health and education aid his foundation provides, Eto’o not only aims to help eradicate poverty, but to mold the next generation of Cameroon’s superstars in the process.
Even though Eto’o’s World Cup future is in doubt due to a nagging knee injury, his football career is beyond reproach. After scoring 100 goals with Barcelona, winning the African Player of the Year award a record four times, and back-to-back Champions League titles, Eto’o’s legacy is not up for debate.
The extent of his legacy will go far beyond the confines of football. His legacy will be known by thousands of African children as they grow up with access to basic healthcare, quality education and even professional football training thanks to Samuel Eto’o.
Sources: Chelsea Football Club, Fundacion Privada Samuel Eto’o, FIFA
Photo: Forbes