Pa Furmus Correa By Fatou B Camara
“I got amputated at the age of 3, when I was a little boy, I never knew that I was an amputee until I grew up. I started playing football at the age of 5 despite being amputated, I still go to the field to train and play football which I love doing with my friends.”
Bubacarr Camara born in 1999 from Kiang Jouli village, Gambia was born without any physical challenges and dreamt of becoming a professional footballer in order to represent his country in international competitions someday got tested by his injury.
Bubacarr said he never knew he was an amputee until he grew up and found the story with his mum.
“My mum said when I was a little boy, I climbed on top of a chair and then jumped; the time I felt on the ground my leg started paining and got swollen. They took me to local doctors but were unable to cure it. They later took me to the hospital but it was too late because my leg got swollen and spoiled already so that’s how I got amputated”
A story that has never tempted Bubacarr to quit his dream of turning pro keeps him going as he becomes the first Gambian Amputee professional.
Bubacarr is inspired by Dutch forward and former Manchester United and Arsenal man Van Persie who is regarded as one of the best strikers during his time.
“Van Persie is my mentor because of his scoring capability that made me fall in love with him,” Camara said.
The 24-year old is a graduate who started his schooling at Kiang Jouli primary school where he did grade 1 to 4. He then moved to the urban Gambia in Old Jeshwang where he completed grade 5 to 6 before moving to Kanifing East Upper and Senior Secondary School to complete his schooling.
After his graduation in 2019, Bubacarr was enrolled at the GTTI where he spent two years studying architecture just in case his dream of football isn’t fulfill.
Bubacarr played for Gambia Amputee National Team in 2019 and represented the Gambia in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021 in Tanzania.
Currently Bubacarr is the Gambia’s Amputee Association first ever professional footballer playing for Mersin Amputee Football Club in Turkey.
Bubacarr who is on loan to Mersin Amputee Football Club from Konya Amputee football club had an incredible season of 9 goal contribution (5–goals, 4–assists) in 9 matches.
“I was invited by Bob who specializes in making prosthetic legs for amputees, he told me they have formed a football team for Amputees who are willing to play football. That’s how I joined the team in 2022.”
It only took Bubacarr 3 years to move from local footballer to professional footballer after joining the Gambia Amputee National Team to play for the Turkish Amputee Football Club (Mersin).
Bubacarr, who said one of his biggest supporters is his mum, aims to help the amputees and other disabled people, especially the young amputees who think their chances of playing football are over.
“I am aiming to get top amputee clubs in future and to win trophies. I shall invest in my country especially the underprivileged amputees and other disable footballers,” Bubacarr told Sporty Nation.
Gambia’s only professional footballer in Mersin Amputee Football Club advised his fellow amputees to keep faith and know that disability doesn’t mean inability and anything they want to achieve is left to their dedication, hard work and belief.
“I am ready to represent my country in any international matches if I am given the chance,” Babucarr said.
