Faces & Stories

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Hussein Ali

“I've always felt like rugby was the one place where I could be myself, no matter what. It's a team sport, and no one cares about what you do off the field as long as you're giving your all when you're playing.”

Hussein has always been a big guy, and he found his calling in rugby when he was only fifteen. Playing for his high school team, he discovered his love for the sport and found an outlet for his aggression. Rugby quickly took over his life, and he soon became known in his community for his talent on the field. Despite being bisexual, Hussein has never been comfortable being open about his sexuality and prefers to keep that aspect of his life private. When he's not playing rugby, Hussein loves cooking traditional Djiboutian dishes for his family, and he dreams of one day opening his own restaurant.

What made you decide to start playing rugby?

I was always a big guy and people would expect me to be good at basketball or soccer, but I quickly realized that rugby was the sport for me. It's a tough game, but I love the physicality of it.

What's your favorite Djiboutian dish to cook?

Oh, that's an easy one. I love making Maraq, which is a spicy stew with lamb and vegetables. It's the ultimate comfort food for me.

A rugby ball on the grassy field with a stadium in the background
Just like the rough and tumble game of rugby, life can be tough, but if you're willing to push through the pain, you can come out on top.
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