North Carolina State University Athletics
It's Not All About Soccer For Ghanayem
8/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 10, 2005
Raleigh, N.C. - With the month of August comes the start of college athletics for NC State's six fall sports teams. Included is the men's soccer squad which will conduct its first practice of the new season this Friday. For NC State defender Rami Ghanayem soccer sometimes takes a back seat to what is going on in other parts of the world. Ghanayem, along with his parents Burhan and Manar and his two sisters Lubna and Roba, spent time this summer visiting relatives in both Jordan and then in Palestine.
"I have a bunch of family over there, especially my aunts and uncles, and also both of my parents' uncles and aunts," said the Wolfpack junior. "Our family tries to make it over there every couple of years. My dad tries to time it where our family can go for four or five weeks. It was really good to spend a couple of weeks in Palestine because I haven't been there for six years."
"We went this past past summer because my grandfather passed away in October and my dad wanted a chance for all of us to go and visit his tombstone. Going back to Palestine was an experience this year because it has been so long since I went."
The Palestinian areas account for about 2,800 square miles located right on the Mediterranean Sea. They have a population estimated at about 3 million. But more important than location is the violence and everyday military presence.
"In Palestine you pretty much experience life under occupation," said Ghanayem. "There are just curfews and check points everywhere. Granted, my family and I are American citizens,so it makes life a lot easier because we can move through check points. We can move from city to city and get a taxi at 10 o'clock at night, opposed to the citizens of the country who can't go out at certain hours and can't be caught in certain cities because they are not allowed access."
Riots erupted in September 2000, and to this date over 3500 people, about 90 percent of them Palestinian, have been killed in the violence.
"At times it was scary passing through big cities like Jerusalem and cities like that," said Ghanayem. "There were major check points in the big cities where you have soldiers with M-16s standing right beside you checking your passports so it was scary at times. It is intimidating and it's scary to see a guy standing right next to you with a gun in his hands."
"My family in Palestine is just accepting of the point that there is nothing they can do about the situation of their country. They are not going to fight, but they are going to stand their ground because nobody wants to see their home demolished and get kicked out like so many people have in the past. They are just accepting and making do with life as it is. Like if you want vegetables, you have to wait till every other Wednesday and take a mountain path when the soldiers aren't there. People just make do with the situation."
Ghanayem has always been thankful he has not had to experience the situation in person. He was born and raised in the U.S. after his parents left the Palestine area about 25 years ago.
"My dad and mom actually experienced the 1967 war in Palestine," said Ghanayem. "After that, my dad was forced to go to Egypt and attend to the University of Cairo to finish his college studies. Then he was granted a visa to come to the U.S. and get his master's and Ph.D. at Texas."
To this day Jordan is a neutral country so there isn't as much fighting, but around the Palestine area there is always a threat of violence.
"Everytime I go, I'm just more and more thankful for what I have here," said Ghanayem. "Jordan is more like America where it is neutral and the big cities have skyscrapers. But when you go to Palestine it is an eye-opener and very humbling."
On the soccer field for the Wolfpack, Ghanayem will be one of the most experienced returning players. Last season, he made a smooth transition back to defense after playing his freshman season as a midfielder. Ghanayem was the only player to start all 18 games last year, and he finished with one goal and one assist. He scored the Pack's lone goal at No. 22 Virginia off of a free kick.
"It's funny that it is my junior year already," said Ghanayem. "Looking back now I don't even remember my freshman year too much. Time has just flown by. I'm so excited for this upcoming season. Our senior class has put in so much work, so nobody deserves a successful season more than those guys. I think everybody has a bunch of goals set in their head, and we are all ready to be rewarded."
"My personal goal is to keep getting better, grow as a team and grow as a person. I want to keep growing as a player on the field as well, and for the team I want us to get an ACC championship. I'm looking to assume more of a leadership role this year. I'm looking to step it up verbally and on the field. I'm just really excited about this season, and our chances to have a successful year."
