Bolt arrives in Australia on football quest

Author: AFP

Usain Bolt says he’s deadly serious about becoming a professional footballer and plans to show the world what he’s capable of after arriving in Australia Saturday for a trial stint with an A-League club.

The superstar athlete has been given the chance to prove his worth by the Central Coast Mariners, who have agreed to let him train with the team indefinitely in his pursuit of a playing contract.

They hope to turn him into A-League material in time for the start of the 2018/19 season in late October.

Bolt, wearing a Mariners scarf, was met by a media scrum at Sydney airport and said he would push himself hard to make the grade.

“I always put my best foot forward and I’m going to show the world what I’m made of,” he said.

“This is real,” added the 31-year-old when asked if it was simply a stunt.

“I’ve said since my last season of track and field that I want to play football and I know what I can do.

“I’m grateful to the Mariners for giving me the opportunity and am happy to call Australia home for now.”

Bolt has already tried out with teams in Germany, Norway and South Africa, to no avail, since retiring from athletics last year.

Despite being an eight-time Olympic champion and the fastest man on earth, he admitted to being nervous about what lay ahead in the small town of Gosford, 75 kilometres (47 miles) north of Sydney, where the club is based.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Pakistan

Sharjeel Inam highlights PPP’s efforts for Pakistan’s progress

Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon,…

1 hour ago
  • Pakistan

Vawda warns of life threat to Imran from Bushra Bibi, Gandapur

Former PTI leader and Senator Faisal Vawda has expressed serious concerns over the safety of…

1 hour ago
  • World

Schools in India shut as heavy storm approaches Tamil Nadu coast

Schools in India's south were shut and hundreds of people moved inland to storm shelters…

1 hour ago
  • Pakistan

UAE embassy observes minute of silence to honor martyrs on Commemoration Day

Officials and members of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in Pakistan, along with representatives…

1 hour ago
  • Business

Govt anticipates higher PIA valuation in second privatization round

Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday welcomed the European Commission and European Aviation Safety Agency…

1 hour ago
  • Business

Sindh Premium Property Exhibition attracts provincial lawmakers

In a significant boost to the construction sector, Senior Provincial Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam…

1 hour ago