The African Student Union welcomed a group of hearing African soccer players for a friendly match on Saturday, May 6. Gallaudet was represented by a mix of students, faculty, and alumni, who saw the event as more than just a chance to play a game. It was an opportunity to boost visibility of Gallaudet鈥檚 Deaf African community, and build connections with hearing Africans in the area.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to have people from off campus join us. We want them to learn about Deaf culture,鈥� said Chris 鈥淭eddy鈥� Jappah, 鈥�18 & G-鈥�21, former ASU president.

Donald Igwebuike, who played on Nigeria鈥檚 national team before moving to the United States and playing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League, led the team of hearing players. 鈥淭hank you for the opportunity to play with students here,鈥� Igwebuike said as the teams warmed up before the match. 鈥淪ometimes you don鈥檛 know where the African community is. We鈥檙e looking forward to a good game.鈥�

The final score was 6-4, with the Gallaudet team coming up just a little short against their more seasoned competitors. But it was a win for everyone involved, said outgoing ASU president David Malle, 鈥�23. 鈥淧laying with us creates more of a bond. It鈥檚 kind of like a family,鈥� said Malle, who noted that African students at Gallaudet frequently crave more connections. Getting to know a larger number of people in the area helps them feel more comfortable so far away from home.

Umar Tukur, G-鈥�15, ASU faculty co-advisor and lecturer in the School of Language, Education, and Culture, said that being plugged into the wider African network could help students find out about opportunities for internships and jobs.

Soccer is an ideal way of bringing everyone together, added Jappah, who is assistant coach of the Gallaudet men鈥檚 soccer team. 鈥淲e call it football and it鈥檚 the most popular sport in Africa,鈥� he said. With the event, he hoped to demonstrate Deaf abilities. 鈥淚 want to show equality,鈥� he said.

They continued to connect after the match over a shared meal of African dishes, prepared by undergraduate student Afan Nyam and graduate student Bernice Adekeye. It was a chance to interact and make memories for student and alumni spectators as well, said incoming ASU president Michaela Okosi, who took many photos commemorating the occasion.

The ASU plans to host more events bringing Deaf students together with the local hearing African community