Former Columbus Crew player to organise Gala tournament/Marathon

Former Columbus Crew midfielder Fifi Baiden, will on Friday, December 1-2, organize a football gala and a marathon for the Fifi Foundation at Ayenya, in the Eastern Region.

The two competitions are meant to bring the community together and also to raise awareness about malaria and HIV/AIDS.

The vision of the Fifi Foundation is purposed to give hope and better future to orphans and underprivileged children in Ghana, by empowering them with valuable tools through education and sports.

The Foundation founded in June this year is situated in Ayenya, but according to the player, there are future plans to relocate to a purchased land and facilities in Loum, near Dodowa soon.

The NGO is currently helping about 50 children between the ages of 6-12.
20 of the children were selected for the boys soccer academy, after they were scouted by the Foundation’s Ghana coaching staff in a try-out.

Ten of the children were selected orphans from Ayenya who reside on site, whiles the rest of the community children that receives support from their foundation live at home with their parents.

“We are dedicated to providing our beneficiaries with the best opportunity to reach their potential and the ability to become role models in their community and the country,” he said.

Born in Ghana, Fifi has first hand experience of the plight of poor children, having sold kerosine at age two to support his family.

“Growing up in Ghana was tough. My parents struggled to provide a roof over our head, three square meals on the table, let alone provide for our education. I sold Kerosine to support my family,” he said.

At the age of ten, he received a full scholarship to join the Right to Dream (RtD) academy in Ghana.

RtD helped him to land a scholarship to further his high school and college education in the U.S at Dunn School and University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) respectively.

He then went on to play professional soccer for the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.

Fifi is being supported by a board including three other RtD graduates and Black Stars players David Accam and Mohammed Abu and Emmanuel Boateng to achieve the aims and objectives of the Fifi Foundation.