African football legend Samuel Eto'o (38) has been accepted into Harvard University to study business management after he launched his own betting company. And he said that the main reason for him undertaking business management is to be able to give back to Africa through the operations of his betting company.
His creativity and intelligence is not only confined to the football field as he has now reached a stage where he realizes new skills are needed for the better running of finances. He retired from football in September following a stint with Qatar SC. He will commence his program with one of America's most prestigious institutions next year.
His betting firm Beto'o is based in Cameroon and he hopes to apply the business principles he will learn towards the continuity of his firm.
Speaking to Jeun Afrique magazine, Eto'o said that it was now time for him to learn new skills for better business management.
"When you are a footballer you pay others to look after your business interests. But once it is down to you to manage them, and you want them to grow, you need to acquire new skills. So I will resume my studies, to learn business management."
"I will go to Harvard University in January. They have been good enough to let me take a specialised course. I will be in Boston for almost a year. It won't be easy, but it will open new doors to me. My betting company belongs to a group of young African people who asked me to join them.
"I agreed to let them use my image following months of talks, as I was touched by their faith in Africa. They convinced me that together we can improve people's daily lives."
The former Barcelona and Inter Milan star enjoyed a very illustrious football career filled with plenty and plenty of goals and trophies.
He became very exceptional during his time with Barcelona from 2004 to 2009. His trophies with Barcelona include 3 La Liga titles and 2 European Champions League titles. In 2010, he won the Champions League at Inter Milan under the management of Jose Mourinho.
He has 118 caps with Cameroon, having led the Indomitable Lions to 4 World Cup appearances - 1998, 2002, 2010 and 2014. Through all these, he played in 8 matches, scoring 3 goals. His crowning point representing the country came when he won back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations titles at the 2000 and 2002 editions.
Samuel Eto'o has decided to make his enterprises be of huge benefit to the community at large and that is something worth applauding.
Header image credit - AS English