Antwerp Youth Worker Retires After 30 Years

Mohamed Zemmouri, a longtime youth worker in Antwerp, Belgium, retired on September 1st after dedicating over 30 years to the personal development of disadvantaged young people in Borgerhout and Kiel through sports, particularly street football. Zemmouri worked with Kras Sport, an organization that uses sports to reach at-risk youth, providing them with not only athletic opportunities but also lessons in health, society, and personal growth. He intentionally focused on reaching youth outside of traditional social media channels, prioritizing direct engagement in neighborhoods where support was most needed.

Zemmouri views his work as more than a job, describing it as a passion and a lifestyle that extended beyond typical work hours. He recalls helping young people overcome challenges, including one former refugee now working as a surgeon, and cites these individual successes as more rewarding than the achievements of well-known footballers like Jérémy Doku and Radja Nainggolan, who also benefited from his guidance.

Kras Jeugdwerk currently supports approximately 5,000 members, with 500 participating in Kras Sport. Zemmouri intends to remain available to help with youth activities even in retirement.