2023-07-10 09:59:30
After 15 years of career, Bonaventure Kalou hung up his crampons in 2010 following inconclusive trials at Crystal Palace. The native of Oumé is now devoting himself to his brand new life as mayor of his hometown, Vavoua. In this second part of the exclusive interview granted to Afrik-Foot.com, the ex-Elephant explains the reasons for his political commitment, recalling that he had no presidential ambitions.
The origin of his political commitment
“I wanted to get involved because, when you have played football at a certain level, you have a name that goes with it. I wanted to get involved especially for my parents in Vavoua, to be a sort of lobbyist so that they might obtain certain things. Sometimes I think I have achieved these goals, other times not. But the will is there.”
The influences of such a conversion
“No. To be honest, I had never thought of it, it was not even in my plans to become mayor, and what is more in Vavoua. When I went there, the state in which the city was located pushed me to get involved in order to obtain certain advantages for this city. Nothing else.”
His experience as a footballer and the sports policy in his municipality
“I try to help all initiatives related to sport. I know the importance that sport can have in the personal development of everyone, in the development of youth. Take this youth away from certain vices through sport. These are among other things that we are working on. There are not many means but we try to do with it.”
Presidential ambition like Georges Weah
(Laughs) Destinies are unique and depend on each person’s aspirations. I got involved in politics, not to reach that level. I am mayor of my municipality, it is already a lot of work. I don’t shave every morning thinking of becoming president of the republic (laughs). My aspiration is that following my mandate(s) as mayor, there will be a change in the city of Vavoua. Nothing more.
#Policy ????????
The former Ivorian international Bonaventure Kalou, a former player notably of the @PSG_inside and of the@AJAwas elected mayor of Vavoua, a city of 500,000 inhabitants in the center-west of Côte d’Ivoire. pic.twitter.com/Jn9klhcYn7
— INFOSPORT+ (@infosportplus) October 15, 2018
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