We are proud to see our founder, Kamal Ibrahim, featured by Football Federation Australia for his remarkable journey through football and community leadership.
Kamal’s story began in Ethiopia before he migrated to Australia at the age of 11. Football became his bridge to a new life. His talent and determination quickly stood out—at 15 he was selected to represent Australia, at 17 he joined the Australian Institute of Sport, and by 18 he signed his first professional contract with Melbourne Heart (now Melbourne City).
Kamal went on to make history:
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The first East African to represent Australia in football
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The first East African to play in the A-League
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The first African to win the NPL Victoria Gold Medal for best player
While football took him across Europe, Asia, and Africa, it was what the game gave him off the pitch—confidence, community, and belonging—that inspired him most.
In 2017, Kamal founded One Ball to pass that gift on to the next generation. Today, One Ball delivers free and affordable football programs across Victoria, supporting thousands of children and young people from migrant, refugee, and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Football Federation Australia’s recognition of Kamal’s journey reflects the power of the game to change lives and bring people together.
We thank FFA for sharing his story, and we remain committed to continuing Kamal’s vision: using football to build confidence, character, and connection in every young person we work with.
