About AY5
Who is Ayoub Boukhari?
My name is Ayoub Boukhari .
I am 28 years old, born and raised in Rotterdam-West .
I am a futsal player for the Dutch national team and currently play for Tigers Roermond .
Besides sports, I try to be an example for young people by encouraging good things through sports, discipline and exercise.
With AY5 I want to share my story and show that no matter where you come from, you can achieve your goals.
The first steps with the ball
I was always outside.
From a young age I had a great feeling with the ball, even when it was bigger than me.
I played football in front of the door, shot against a wall and trained with boys who were older than me.
From early morning until late at night.
At the age of 8 I received an invitation to an open day at Sparta Rotterdam .
There were more than 200 children present.
I made a good impression and was hired.
My first club: Sparta Rotterdam .
The first major setback
I played for Sparta until I was 12 .
After that I had to leave because of my physical condition .
That was my first big disappointment .
I became insecure, even though I knew I could play football well.
Around the age of 15 I got a lot of pressure from my environment:
“You are too light.”
“You'll never make it like this.”
That was the moment I almost gave up .
I didn't play club football for a year and only played football outside on the streets.
Making choices
One of my greatest lessons in life is this:
you have to make choices .
I changed my environment.
I didn't choose friends who did wrong things, but: going home, training and exercising
You often only see friends when things are going well.
When things go bad, they're not there.
From field to indoor soccer
After Sparta's promotion I had to leave the club.
I was faced with a choice:
Continue with field football or focus completely on indoor football?
I asked myself:
- Do I still enjoy this?
- Where do I feel confidence?
- Where am I appreciated?
I chose indoor soccer .
There I found my joy again.
I had the ball more often and felt more at home.
Discipline, setbacks and success
To achieve your goals you need:
- Discipline
- A good environment
- Motivation
Life is not without its setbacks.
When I was 19, I lost my father .
I wanted to quit playing football.
I didn't feel like it anymore.
But thanks to my environment and my faith, I kept going.
And that has taken me far.
What I have achieved
In a short time I have:
- 3x national champion
- Won 2x KNVB Cup
- KNVB Supercup won
- Top Scorer & Player of the Year
All this within 3 years .
AY5 & Giffentjes
I have my own clothing line: AY5 .
AY5 stands for:
- Self-confidence
- Perseverance
- Discipline
That is also what GIFFENTJES stands for.
With AY5 I want to motivate young people and adults:
Keep believing in yourself, even when others don't!
