‘I am very happy and proud;’ Chelsea Star says as he receives Sierra Leonean Passport and ambassadorial status
Chelsea star, Antonio Rudiger has expressed appreciations to the people of Sierra Leone for the warm reception upon his return to his root. The player was granted a diplomatic passport and also made an ambassador to promote football in the West African country.
Responding to the reception, Rudiger said: “People of Sierra Leone, thank you so much for all these amazing memories in recent days,” adding that, “I am very, very proud to have received the diplomatic passport of Sierra Leone and to be the brand ambassador of the country from now on. Thank you to President Julius Maada Bio. What an honour.”
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The player who was in the country to also launch his own foundation further thanked the people for turning out in their numbers to grace the event. “Thanks to everyone for coming to the launch of the Antonio Rüdiger Foundation this week. I can promise you this is just the beginning,” Rudiger wrote.
Rudiger has always expressed interest in the birth country of his parents despite playing his club football for Germany. He is known to have carried out charity projects in the country. He funded the operation of 11 children with clubfoot in Sierra Leone through a partnership charity project called BigShoe.
“Thanks so much to BigShoe to help these children in need in my 2nd home in Sierra Leone. This is what really matters in life to see them smiling again. Together we made it possible to give 11 kids a better life again – May God protect and bless them all” the player wrote.
donated $100,000 towards free education project by the Sierra Leone government. The player said it was his contribution towards the development of the country of his parentage.
“Sierra Leone is my home. I’m not the talking type of a person, I am about action. You can count on us and do not hesitate. We are here to support your vision and agenda, especially on education. I am ready to take on my responsibility to change the narrative and image of Sierra Leone.”