When Kabiru Gafar first came to the United States at age 11 from Nigeria he was looking for a way to continue playing the game he loved.
Soccer.
So his seventh grade year he tried out for the Chapel Hill Middle School soccer team, about one year after arriving in the United States.
He was super excited to have the opportunity to show what he could do, but at the end of the day-long tryout process, he got the devastating news that he was cut from the team entirely.
Gafar was shattered.
"I went back to my room, and I promised myself this would never ever happen to me again," Gafar said. "And I was like, 'I'm going to go for it next year and put my name out there.' "
So what did he do that following year?
He went out and made the team his eighth grade year.
And not only did he make the team that year, but he set the all-time Chapel Hill Middle School goals record with 40.
The determination and perseverance shown by Gafar to keep going is something he's continued to use throughout his soccer career, from playing on the field outside Chapel Hill Middle School, to his time playing at Key Stadium for the UIndy Greyhounds men's soccer team.
"I think at that moment, I was like, I can go and play wherever I want, whether that's at the top academy in the state or playing in college," Gafar said.
Prior to arriving at UIndy, Gafar played for Ben Davis High School's varsity team and USAI, a local club soccer team in the Indianapolis area, for two years. He was soon recruited by Kiki Wallace, a former Indiana men's soccer player, to play for the Indy Fire Academy team.
"Kiki came out to a couple of my games and said, 'we're going to get you out to a tryout,' " Gafar said. "I denied it at first because it was the first big opportunity, but after I talked to my close family and friends, I decided it was time to take the next step."
Gafar spent two seasons under Palmer where he won two national championships, and had the opportunity to train with the Mexico men's soccer national team.
"It was crazy seeing the pros and how they actually train," Gafar said. "It was an experience I'll never forget and take with me wherever I go."
But that next opportunity for Gafar was unclear.
His parents came to the United States with the idea of providing better education for Gafar, but he was not sure where to begin with the process.
And Gafar knew he couldn't just sit back and wait for the opportunity to come to him.
"About three or four months before my freshman year at UIndy, I was like, no, I can't just sit here and end up like every other person I've known," Gafar said. "So I reached out to (former UIndy soccer player) Noah (Yohannes) to see if he could connect me with (UIndy men's soccer head coach) Gabe (Hall), and so I talked to him, they got me on a visit and it was a done deal from there."
Gafar has gone on to have a successful three seasons for the Hounds, as he's scored seven goals and had five assists in 40 games played.
"I'll forever be grateful to Gabe because he gave me an opportunity to put myself out there on national TV," Gafar said.
Gafar is eyeing the chance to one day play professionally in Major League Soccer (MLS) or the United Soccer League (USL), but his one goal after playing is to impact the next generation of youth soccer players.
"The things I didn't know growing up, I don't want other people to make those mistakes, so I want to put myself in a position to help them not make those same mistakes," Gafar said. "My goal is to pass down what I've learned and help kids realize their goals like the great coaches I've had in the past have helped me realize mine."
