Over hurdles into a new life

Nahom Yirga, you have spent almost half your life in Switzerland. What memories do you have of your childhood in Ethiopia?

When I think of my homeland, the first thing that comes to mind is the unspoilt nature. There's nowhere else in Switzerland like it. I also remember how we often celebrated together. It was always a great atmosphere.

You came to Switzerland with your mother in 2011 and had to leave your little brother, your younger sister and your older brother behind in Ethiopia. Do you still have contact with them?

Not as much as I would have liked. It makes me sad to think that I haven't been able to play football with my big brother for so long. I don't know how we can make up for this lost time.

What else do you miss?

Difficult to say. The weather perhaps? I remember exactly how a classmate in fourth grade once said to me: «Switzerland is the best country in the world.» I thought it was a bit funny at the time, but today I'm of exactly the same opinion. In that respect, I don't miss anything.

You speak perfect German. Where do you feel at home?

In Bassersdorf (beaming). I have my family and my colleagues there, I feel at home there.

What are the big differences between your country of birth and your new home?

There is so much ... In contrast to the rather reserved Swiss, people in Ethiopia are very open, generous and tolerant. If someone brings a friend, they are always welcome, even if you don't know them. On the other hand, Ethiopia is nowhere near as clean as here and not everything works as smoothly as in Switzerland.

What do you particularly like about Switzerland?

The welfare state and the education system. Nobody is left behind in this country, everyone gets a good education and has the same opportunities afterwards. Things are very different in Ethiopia, where anyone born into a poor family can hardly ever escape poverty.

How should we imagine your childhood in Ethiopia?

Our family lived in the north-east of the country in a house on the outskirts of the city. As my parents both worked a lot, we were mainly looked after by my grandmother. I thought that was great because she was a wonderful person who always thought of others. She would have done anything for me - especially at the time when I had a tumour on my neck. I still remember exactly how she treated my neck with holy water to heal me at the time. She was my absolute favourite person and her death hit me hard.

You mentioned the education system in Switzerland earlier.

Yes, it's very different to Ethiopia. My time at school there was nice, but the school is not remotely comparable to the school here. For example, we had much larger classes - around 50 pupils and more - and there was always strict discipline. My favourite subjects were maths and sport.

You have been training at Leichtathletik Club Zürich since 2017. Where does your
passion for athletics?

It actually happened by chance. In 2014, my teacher at the time noticed that I was a good runner and she encouraged me to take part in the UBS Kids Cup, a triple competition consisting of long jump, 60 metre sprint and long ball throw. I finished in the top places in my year and qualified for another competition, where I came third, and made it to the final as the «lucky loser». When I ran through the tunnel into the Letzigrund Stadium that day, something clicked: I have rarely felt so happy and I resolved to come back.

They came back and won the UBS Kids Cup in 2015 and 2016.

Without this tournament, I wouldn't be where I am today. In particular, I was able to benefit from the support measures of the UBS Kids Cup in Tenero. I spent a week in Ticino in 2015, 2016 and 2017. I was able to work with a discipline coach there. It was great fun to train, play and spend time with other athletes.

What are your next sporting goals?

In the short term, I want to take part in the U20 European Championships in Sweden and then later in the U20 World Championships in Kenya, where I want to go as far as possible. In the long term, I dream of taking part in all major sporting events for Switzerland and always giving my best.

Their everyday life is determined by training, practice and competitions.
competitions. What would you like to have more time for?

I'm actually very happy with my life. Although, a little more time with my friends would certainly be nice.

Your career has put you in the public eye. Is there anything that nobody knows about you yet?

Nobody knows that all my thoughts are in German - except for the numbers, which are in my mother tongue.

Facts and figures UBS Kids Cup

The UBS Kids Cup is the most successful youth project in Swiss sport. Last year, around 170,000 children and young people aged 7 to 15 competed in the 60m sprint, long jump and ball throw. This summer, the young athletes will be competing again. From local qualifying rounds to cantonal finals, they will compete in the Swiss final on 31 August in Zurich's Letzigrund.
Did you know that ...
... the UBS Kids Cup will have its millionth participant this year? In 2018, a total of 171,685 athletes from 645 schools jumped 545,958 metres, sprinted 10,301,100 metres and threw 3,749,599 metres at a total of 1,030 local events.