By: Kayiira Jackson
Pakistanis and Indians are mostly known for loving cricket the more and at least every home has a cricket bat but Haroon Ahmed is a unique child with a nitch sport which of football.
The 16-year old Pakistan national but living in Uganda, Haroon is the only child in the family of four children who practicing football and has ambitions of taking the sport to a professional level with Real Madrid as the dream club.
The energetic, right-footed defender is studying football at Proline Soccer Academy in Kampala – Uganda.
One of the few children at Proline with short power shooting technique is a son to Abdul Ashfaq and Farzana Kousar, the Pakistan nationals but living in Uganda, dealing in sports equipments.
The second born in a family of four children, two girls and two boys was born on 17th, November, 2008 in Gujrat – Pakistan.
Education journey:
Haroon Ahmed who is a senior two student at Aga Khan High School in Kampala, started his elementary education Boo Ali Primary school in Pakistan, while at the eight of eight, he was brought to Uganda, resumed with his education at Buganda Road Primary School in primary two, he sat his PLE at the same school in 2023 and and scooped 12 aggregates in the final national exams.
In 2024 he joined Aga Khan High School, an international school.
Football Journey:
Since there were not any family member with sports history, football wasn’t a thing for Haroon but since his father is a businessman, dealing in sports equipments, it was very easy for him to find an academy for his child, little did he know that the boy is very talented in that field.
“There is no sports background in my family”. Haroon told this website in an exclusive interview.
“It’s my dad who choose football, I was redundant, I was growing big, so my dad decided to take me to an academy such that I keep fit.” He added.
At the age of 11 years in 2020, Haroon kicked his first ball with not any skill.
With the help of his coaches, Kaweesa Ronald and Hadija Namuyanja, Haroon developed skills.
“I came at Proline when knowing nothing but my coach [Kaweesa Ronald], actually I love him so much, I developed skills, he made me love the sport.” Haroon narrates.
“Even coach Hadija [Namuyanja] she has added skills on me and I also watch football on YouTube to add on what the coaches give me.”
Ahmed who desires, jersey number 17, got a chance to travel to Germany in January 2025 with his home academy, Proline Soccer Academy to have international friendlies and development more skills. Proline partnered with Prosoc Academy based in Germany.
While in Germany, Haroon gotten a chance to train and have a friendly match with US Youth Soccer – Europe and given a bright hope that he has the potential to play in Europe.
“Yes I got chance to train with USYS -Europe under sixteen team, they loved me, they have encouraged me to keep pushing because I have the size, power but they told me to work on my speed which I am doing so hard.” Said Haroon.
Haroon says that he has the potential to play as a right back, central midfielder as well as a right winger, good at playing long balls, tackle with short power ball technique.
Federico Santiago Valverde Dipetta, Real Madrid midfielder is the player he takes as his role model.
Profile:
Name: Haroon Ahmed
Nickname: None
Date of Birth: 17/11/2008
Place of Birth [Village]: Gujrat – Pakistan
Mother’s name: Farzana Kousar
Father’s name: Abdul Ashfaq
Position: DEFENDER / CDM
Strong Foot: RIGHT
Weight: 75kgs
Height: 175cm
Shirt no. 17
Current Club:
Proline Soccer Academy since 2020 to date.
Role Model: Federico Santiago Valverde Dipetta (Real Madrid midfielder)
Credited people; My dad and coach Kaweesa Ronald
Best Moments in football:
When we went to Germany and trained with USYS – Europe
Worst Moment: When I got an injury in our crucial match.
Ambitions:
play professional football
Youth Football Career:
Proline Soccer Academy 2020-todate.
