Professional Soccer Player From Afghanistan Finds New Home In Tulsa

An Afghan refugee who played professional soccer has made a home in Tulsa.

Azatullah Haidari played professional soccer back in his home country with the Afghanistan National Football Team.

He said he misses his old team, but has made lots of new friends in Tulsa.

"I'm glad that I'm here with the friendly people of Tulsa," Haidari said.

It's been almost two years since war started in Azatullah Haidari's home country and that's what brought him and his family to Tulsa.

He said leaving his country was sad, but he's happy his family is now safe.

"The Taliban took over Afghanistan. At first, I went to Washington D.C for the first time I arrived in the United States and then the government sent me to Tulsa,” Haidari said.

He said he's grateful for the people he's met because his family came here with nothing, but now he has many great opportunities.

"They helped me get to soccer, they gave me rides to the different sports and activities that I had, which was very good for me," Haidari said.

He still enjoys playing soccer for his team and received scholarships from a local soccer club that helps refugee children who want to play.

"Besides soccer I do wrestling, boxing, and different kinds of activities. I'm also in JROTC, which I was in Afghanistan in JROTC which is very different, but I'm glad that I am here," Haidari said.

Haidari has big dreams of once again playing professional soccer.

"One of my goals is to play for the United States national team," he said.

He also wants to join the Air Force someday and even work with people at NASA.