Former Australian rules footballer Bachar Houli joined festivities marking Australia National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai on Saturday, holding a training session for children at Aussie Park in the Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Hub.
His Excellency General the Honourable David John Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor General of Australia, joined Houli at the event with members of the football star’s Bachar Houli Foundation (BHF). More than 20 children aged between the ages of five and 10 were tutored in the game’s techniques.
Houli played 232 games during a 15-year career with clubs Richmond and Essendon, before retiring last year, and was one of the first Muslim players in the Australian Football League.
A not-for-profit organisation, the BHF was launched in 2013 in partnership with the Australian Football League (AFL) and the Richmond Football Club. The Bachar Houli Academy forms part of the foundation. The high-performance talent programme for emerging junior players focuses on strengthening leadership abilities and providing unique development opportunities for young Muslims.
Houli has been speaking about his experiences as a Muslim player, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sport, and his impressions of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Can you explain what you’re doing at Expo 2020 today?
Being here at Expo 2020 Dubai has opened my eyes to how 192 countries have come together at one global event to showcase their country and what they have to offer. Australian Football League is a leading sport in Australia and we are here to showcase that
What has your experience at Expo been like and what have your highlights been?
I haven’t had much time to explore Expo as yet, but I’m looking forward to visiting other pavilions soon. I find the Australia Pavilion very special, as I feel it has a lot to offer from a demographic perspective. Australia is a multicultural society and the biggest island in the world. It is a diverse country, with so many offerings, from the nature of Outback Australia to the buzzing cities of Melbourne and Sydney that are teeming with different arts and culture. I’m proud to call Australia home.
Expo 2020 Dubai is currently hosting its Health & Wellness Week – what is your advice for keeping fit?
It is essential to keep your body and mind active and allocate time to exercise. Three hours a week is all the exercise that you need and that’s something that I practice actively. I finished playing [at the] professional level now, and I’m still training three times a week and it’s enough to keep me in shape
Has the culture of Australian rules football changed over the years?
I’ve been very fortunate to be able to play the game at the highest level for 15 years, and yes, I did experience a lot of change throughout the game, in its rules and culture. There has been a shift for me, personally, from a multicultural perspective and how the game has become the leading sport where people from all walks of life are included, whether you’re a Muslim or African. Our game is the leading code, and we accept people from all walks of life, and that’s why when people go and watch the game – they feel inclusive and feel supported, and that they’re part of Australian culture.
How was the experience playing without any crowds/atmosphere during COVID-19?
COVID was a big wake-up call, and from playing a game in front of thousands of fans to no crowds almost felt like a training session when you were playing against an opposition. But like everything in life, you get used to it, and it becomes a new normal. We ended up winning a grand final in front of no crowd, or very minimal crowd, so it just goes to show that your mindset is very important.
Did you notice a difference in how fans reacted to you when you started playing compared to now?
I remember my first game in 2007 when the Lebanese community came out in full force to support me. I was the first devout Muslim to play AFL football, and that was a big thing for our community. It made the headlines and was probably bigger than what it should have been. So that moment when I ran on the ground was very overwhelming, and I think the important message was that whatever you do in your life it’s very important to uphold your values. I was a practising Muslim, and in the game at the time I was the only Muslim player. So, to uphold my values was important.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m dedicating my time and effort to my foundation that runs programmes for youth. We understand the challenges our youth face today with social media and access to pretty much everything that they want these days. Our foundation-run programmes build leadership skills, encourage Muslim youths to uphold and maintain their Islamic identity. I’m passionate about bringing more young Muslim kids into the AFL system. Just like everything in life, it’s hard to reach the top level, and it takes immense hard work, dedication and commitment.
