Local soccer club help asylum-seeking player's cause
Elizabeth LEE
A NIGERIAN couple and their children have been granted permission to remain in Ireland, after West Wicklow locals strongly rallied in their support.
Kamoru Matonmi and his wife Rachel moved to Baltinglass from Nigeria three years ago and when their initial application for asylum was refused, the couple then applied for permission to remain in the country.
And it was thanks to Kamoru's passion for the beautiful game that members of the Grange Con soccer team quickly came to the family's aid by writing to the Deptment of Justice and Law Reform.
Kamoru came to the attention of the Grange Con Soccer Club shortly after it was set up in 2003. As the keen player had no car, he had to jog from Baltinglass to the village to attend the training sessions. Having played in Division 1 in his home country, Kamoru quickly became a player to be reckoned with and was on the team that won the Shield last year.
Club manager and trainer, Tony Nolan, said that the team had strongly supported Kamoru's plight when his family's asylum application was refused.
'Everyone thinks the world of him,' Nolan explains. 'He's a fabulous player and is very well liked.'
The Matonmis and their two children, Kabiru and Kaburat, are now allowed to stay in Ireland legally after individuals in Baltinglass and 40 members of the Grange Con Soccer Club wrote to the Government on their behalf.
With the nickname Pele firmly stuck on the gifted player, Kamoru says of his teammates, 'They're lovely to me and they don't mind the colour of my skin. They treat me like a brother.'
The family can also legally work in Ireland, a prospect that pleases Kamoru. 'This is very good for us. I can work now, do business and take care of my family.'