There’s a new trend going on whereby some former sports stars are moving into politics; one can’t tell whether this trend is happening intentionally or is just a sheer coincidence. Perhaps these former sports stars see the need to use their personality and their celebrity status to changes the lives of ordinary citizens.
Earlier this year we saw former Liberian soccer legend turn politician King George Weah win Liberian general elections and becoming the 1st African former soccer player take over the office as the President of his country, Liberia. Again Weah was not your average soccer player, his only African soccer player to win FIFA Ballon d’Or Award and the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year award.
Just after his presidential victory, the Liberia president, George Weah, pledged to cut his salary by a quarter during a nationwide address in which he warned of tough times ahead for a “broke” country. Weah added that “the state of the economy that my administration inherited leaves a lot to do and to be decided,” the former international soccer star said in an address aimed at managing expectations following his election victory to replace former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Recently we saw former Pakistan Cricket star-turned-politician and chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan wins elections. To those who are familiar with cricket, Khan was not your average cricket player; he was one of the best cricketers Pakistan ever produced. With the current elections a result that means Khan will be taking over the biggest office his country Pakistan. After his victory and talking to the people of Pakistan, Khan shared this words “I thank god. After 22 years of struggle, my prayers have been answered. I have got the chance to fulfil my dream and serve the nation,” says PTI chief Imran Khan.
