Ernest Yeboah Acheampong

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Ernest Yeboah Acheampong is a Lecturer/Research Associate in the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports (HPERS) at the University of Education, Winneba and an Associate Researcher in the Laboratory of Sport and Social Environment at Université Grenoble Alpes, France. He is a product of the FIFA Master equipped with unique and innovative managerial skills across the sports industry. He has expertise in Football Management, Youth Football Development and Coaching, with research interests in African football, footballers’ migration and mobility, sport for development, sport management, and give-back behaviors. He is a former semi-professional footballer from Ghana and a holder of CAF License B Coaching diploma and FIFA Grassroots Coach Educator. Coaching experiences in Ghana at Lizzy Sports Complex, colts’ teams and FC Seyssins (U19), France. His coaching took him to Sweden, Denmark and France. Ernest has an MBA in Human Resource Management and played a critical role in helping the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG) to achieve candidate status as the first General coordinator/Administrative manager. He has written several articles in Scientific Journals, Sport Newspapers and magazines. He is a reviewer for some scientific journals and serves on scientific research committees of certain organizations like Mission 89 (Switzerland). He is also a member of several scientific societies (SAN, IACS, EASS, ISSA, EASM, 3SLF, etc.). His current book focuses on “African Footballers in Europe: Migration, Community, and Give Back Behaviours.”

ABSTRACT:

“Young African athletes: challenges and constraints of the ‘unknown’ career abroad”

Ernest Yeboah Acheampong, University of Education – Winneba (PhD)

Scholars have documented certain reasons behind African players’ migration to leagues in the Global North. These include economic potential, insensitivity to players’ welfare, lack of professionalism and opportunities at home, unavailability of sporting facilities, and the influence of families in shaping the decision of players to play sports particularly, football. The African youth can face migration barriers because of a lack of information, knowledge and understanding of their host country. This paper hopes to provide a supportive mechanism for migrant African youth athletes to adapt and cope with the ‘unknown’ while plying their trade abroad. Interviews with a score of African professional players through their experiences and the literature on football migration contribute to understanding how young players can acclimatize and cope, as they pursue their international football dreams. Findings show that young players must prepare to deal with challenges such as cultural shock, racism and discrimination, unexpected injury and changes in team management by coping in order to achieve their professional dreams. Results indicate that players should have an understanding of the ‘transitional experience analysis’ which can support them to become successful while coping with those challenges without difficulty. The paper recommends that young players have access to information and awareness of supportive programs and mechanisms (e.g., linguistic and cultural mediators) to assist their migrant integration with the team and into society. Again, professional clubs “hiring” and/or “sending”, and intermediaries (e.g., agents, club officials) of these players should commit to preparing and supporting their settlements in their new environment.