Help FC Dynamic Players Relocate or Return Home

Hello. My name is Taryn Kail. I live in Helotes, Texas. I am setting up this fund on behalf of Eleojo Okeme. Eleojo is currently a refugee from the conflict in Ukraine and is trying to lead his eight-year-old son, his son's auntie, and his entire team of international (mostly Nigerian) football (soccer) players out of the Russian invasion.

 

Eleojo splits his time between his residence here in Helotes, Texas, while working remotely for his team, and travels twice each year to spend time with spring training, recruiting and preparing for the new season. Eleojo was in Kyiv on his usual trip when the invasion happened.

 

Eleojo was able to get his 8-year-old son, Oliver and Oliver's Auntie out of Ukraine and into Slovakia. From there, he has been trying to help his team navigate their way to safety. As the conflict continues, international players face many obstacles including language barriers. Some players are still in Kyiv, while others have made it into Poland and other countries. All of them are counting on Ele to help them get home.

 

The team's funds, many of them donations from past fundraisers, are nearly exhausted. Eleojo has begun to dip into his own life savings to ensure that his players have what they need.

 

This is a direct appeal for money that will be used to help the players and Eleojo navigate the Russian invasion crisis and get them home. Your donation will be used for food, hotels, transportation and other needs of the players.

 

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Below is from a profile Eleojo wrote for a recent fundraising letter:

 

My name is Eleojo Okeme  and I am a Nigerian Club Owner and President. I started playing football as a young boy alongside my brother, family, and friends in my hometown of Sokoto. My passion for the game continued through my formative and college years. After receiving my bachelor’s degree in International Economics & Cybernetics in Europe, I continued to pursue my education and successfully completed both my master’s and doctorate. Simultaneously, I played as a central defender for the premier league.

 

During my time at the university and as a mentor for incoming international students, it became clear there were not enough opportunities for minorities who were in pursuant of their education, but also wanted to play football. It became my mission to create a football team for my fellow Nigerians, as well as all minorities who had the desire to play!

 

In 2010, the inception of FC Dynamic, a regional league football team for international students came to life. Over the next 10 years, FC Dynamic grew from 30 players at the regional level to 60 players in the 3rd league. Kharkiv National University of Radio-Electronics where I attended college, has graciously contributed the use of their practice fields, locker rooms, a classroom and office space for our players, coaches, trainers, sports director, team manager, team administrator and team ambassador to date. Our team has grown a following, we are winning games and at present, our players are being recruited within the professional league.

 

Our accomplishments have not come easy. All our operational expenses are supported strictly through fundraising efforts and sponsorships. It takes the prayers and support of our own community for FC Dynamic to build players and sustain.