By Dallin Lykins
Henry Emenalo, a former member of the Nigerian National team, dreamed of playing soccer in the United States, but discrimination against his LDS faith may have shattered that dream.
?It is disappointing really,? said BYU men?s soccer Head Coach Chris Watkins. ?He is a good player and needs the opportunity to play.?
Originally, the Charlotte Eagles, a professional squad in the second division of the United Soccer Leagues, invited Emenalo to tryout with the team last fall. After receiving his invitation to try out with the Eagles, Henry told the coaches he was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Soon after, the North Carolina-based team, owned by Missionary Athletes International, rescinded its invitation.
?Someone of the LDS faith would have to agree that there is additional revelation when we say there isn?t,? Pat Stewart, CEO of MAI said.
MAI is a non-profit religious organization that uses soccer programs to carry out the message of Jesus Christ. The Eagles are the only professional squad MAI owns, but they work with many smaller programs to spread the message of Jesus Christ, Stewart said.
?You will find players on our team from different denominations ? that are consistent with our statement of faith,? he said.
Stewart said MAI did not think Emenalo was a good fit for the team, because he did not think Emenalo could meet MAI?s statement of faith. The statement of faith, in part, refers to MAI?s belief in the Old and New Testament. The fact Emenalo believed in additional scripture besides the Bible contradicted MAI?s recruiting standards, Stewart said.
?It [the team?s recruiting process] is an individual discussion of where someone is spiritually and what their beliefs are,? he said. ?We are looking for people who profess a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.?
Stewart said the Eagles are open to Christian beliefs and denominations, and the Eagles need players who can demonstrate a good, Christian life. MAI?s goal is to partner with other national churches through ?sports ministry? to better lives, according to its Web site.
?We do not screen on the basis of someone?s denomination,? he said.
However, regardless of his relationship with Christ, Emenalo cannot be an Eagle and a member of the LDS faith at the same time, Stewart said.
?I was not happy experiencing discrimination, especially when it had nothing to do with my soccer life.? Emenalo said. ?Football is the only universal factor that brings people together, irrespective of their culture and belief.?
Emenalo has spent the last few years playing with a professional team in Albania. After playing for the Nigerian national team, Emenalo aspired to play in the United States and went to Europe to gain exposure.
While in Albania about one year ago, Emenalo met Skyler Johnson, a missionary for the LDS church. Emenalo believed the message, and he was baptized. Johnson?s parents fell in love with Emenalo?s story, and Skyler?s mother, Denece, began working to bring him to the United States.
?It was an exciting time,? she said. ?He [Emenalo] was Skyler?s first baptism and really loved the gospel. When we found out about how they [the Eagles] treated him, we had to do something.?
Denece contacted the Eagles herself, and the team?s coach confirmed their decision of refusing to allow Emenalo to tryout with the squad.
Watkins said religion usually does not play a factor in the soccer world.
?I have never heard of this happening,? Watkins said. ?Other teams we play have always been understanding about our faith.?
According to KUTV in Salt Lake City, Emenalo was preparing for his tryout when the Eagles? head coach sent him an e-mail where he told Emenalo ?they [Mormons] are a cult. Be careful.?
Emenalo said he felt maligned, but he could not go against his personal testimony.
?I always say in my heart that God loves me to have given me such a great talent,? he said. ?But no one is going to change my beliefs.?
Stewart said, however, Emenalo?s religious beliefs were not the main reason behind the Eagles? rejection. The U.S. government did not accept Emenalo?s visa, so the Eagles then withdrew their invitation, he said.
However, Denece said the Eagles did not do everything they could to bring Emenalo to the United States after they discovered his religious ties.
?They refused to send the official letter to the embassy,? she said. ?They did not want him anymore, because he was Mormon.?
Since then, Denece has tried many means, including calling Sen. Orrin Hatch?s office, to bring Emenalo to the U.S. After the Eagles refused to allow Emenalo to tryout with the team, he attempted to join the BYU squad. However, due to NCAA regulations and athletic department constraints, the team cannot offer scholarships to any soccer player.
Currently, the Johnsons are working to bring Emenalo to their home in Syracuse, Utah, where they plan to help him attend Weber State. The Wildcats have accepted Emenalo, but cannot offer him a scholarship, either. If Emenalo decides to play soccer here in Utah, the Johnsons will have to support him.
As for now, an offer that once seemed quite promising has left the LDS soccer pro looking elsewhere to fulfill his dream.
