A 12-YEAR-OLD Paphos boy has overcome a brain tumour and gone on to play in the under-14 finals representing Cyprus at the Arsenal International Soccer festival in London.
Odysseus Alexandrou is one of two boys who were scouted from Paphos to play for the under 14’s Cyprus Warriors. The youngster plays for the Paphos warriors, which is an Arsenal soccer-school affiliated football team.
His mother Cathy Alexandrou who is also the Paphos Warriors spokeswoman said: “Three years ago Ody [Odysseus] started failing at school and after several tests doctors in Cyprus diagnosed he was deaf. But they couldn’t work out why.” He was then taken to London to visit a number of specialists.
“They discovered that Ody had a very rare brain tumour which was growing through his ear. He took everything in his stride, although it was very hard for him and it was touch and go for a while, we nearly lost him,” she said.
The young boy underwent two gruelling operations in the UK to remove the tumour and the entire inner part of his ear.
“Ody has always been passionate about sport and it was his love of football that got him through this difficult period,” his mother said.
A huge Arsenal fan, the young football star was the first person to be a given a solo tour of Arsenal’s new Emirates stadium.
“He didn’t really remember much about it as he was so poorly, but we’ve been again since,” said Alexandrou.
The Paphos Warriors is affiliated to Arsenal football club, and is one of many such teams across the globe. There are five schools in total in Cyprus at present, which will teach kids to play football the ‘Arsenal way’, while providing a great showcase arena for talent spotters from across the globe.
Arsenal Soccer Schools have been around since 1985 in the UK and the Cyprus courses are based on the same principles used at the training ground.
Alexandrou helps her coach husband, Alex by looking after the children during practices time and matches.
The dedicated mother of four boys, who all play football, admitted that both she and her husband had started the Paphos Warriors to help their son.
“I think it’s every parents’ dream for their son to be a football player, but actually for us, as long as our children are enjoying playing that is enough,” she said.
Young players from Arsenal schools in Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Polis and Paphos were chosen to make up the Cyprus team.
Along with young Ody Alexandrou, 13-year-old Bradley Floyd from Paphos was also picked.
The boys were spotted when they took part in an advanced football camp in January this year in Cyprus. An Arsenal scout and coaches chose the boys and the Cyprus Arsenal technical director co-ordinated the camp.
“As the boys who were picked were from all over the island, it was a problem logistically to get them all together as a team to practice,” said Alexandrou.
The young hopefuls took part in a week’s intensive training in Greece, which was followed up with further training during a weekend in Larnaca.
“To be honest they didn’t have a lot of time to train together,’ said Alexandrou. This makes the teams success even more surprising, she added.
The Arsenal soccer festival ran in London between August 1-8h and took place at the Royal Holloway University, where the competitors also stayed. This was the first time Cyprus had entered a team to the competition.
International teams from all over the world took part, including countries such as the UK, Spain, Portugal and America.
“The boys played fantastically and took everyone by surprise. They made it to the finals but lost 2-1 to the London team,” said Alexandrou.
Warrior player Bradley Floyd, also from Paphos was asked to play for Greece, as they were one player down and they finished top of their group.
“No one expected Cyprus to get that far and it was such an achievement. For us especially it was a fantastic experience, and although thankfully Ody was given the all clear in April, his problems are still on our minds.”
The Paphos Warriors start training again in the coming week on Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoon. Places are available for both boys and girls from 4 years old up to 16 years.
For further information call 97773804.
