Mabil receives FIFPro award for refugee initiative

Socceroos winger Awer Mabil has been awarded the 2018 FIFPro Merit Award for his work supporting refugees.

Awer Mabil in action for the Socceroos against Lebanon Source: AAP

The 23-year old, who plays for Danish Superliga champions FC Midtjylland after starting his professional career with Adelaide United, was born in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya after his parents fled there from Sudan in 1994. His family immigrated to Australia in 2006.

"My aim is to make refugees' lives easier, to make them realise more that their dreams can come true," Mabil said via video message during the presentation of the Merit Award at the FIFPro General Assembly in Rome.

"They (refugees) just want an opportunity to be seen and not be isolated."

Mabil was awarded a US$25,000 (A$34,171) cheque from the World Footballers' Association for his 'Barefoot to Boots' initiative.

Mabil returned to the Kakuma refugee camp with his brother, Awer Bul, in 2014, and established their charity to provide the children in the camp with boots.

"Awer Mabil's Barefoot to Boots is a brilliant program," said Tony Higgins, spokesperson of the Merit Award jury. "He is doing a tremendous job in trying to bring hope and improved life quality to unfortunate people from many African countries who reside in the Kakuma camp.

"People do not voluntarily choose to become a refugee, most of them are forced to flee their homes due to life-threatening circumstances for themselves or their family. Next to that, living in a refugee camp is extremely difficult and sad. A simple thing such as playing football can already bring much needed happiness."

Barefoot to Boots 'has developed into an organisation supplying children with boots and jerseys in addition to education and healthcare outcomes.

The charity's offering now arranges laptops, incubators and sanitary kits for young women, as well as other equipment', a Professional Footballers Australia email announcing Mabil's award read.

Mabil made his Socceroos debut against Kuwait last month, coming off the bench to score in a 4-0 win.