Watford (England) – Moving moment! Ken Sema (29) from FC Watford stutters – and yet he dared to be in front of the camera after his club’s last game to give an interview. The Swedish national player then received a lot of recognition on the net.
Ken Sema (29) has played 14 times for the Swedish national team. © JONATHAN NACKSTRAND / AFP
The 29-year-old winger scored two goals in the English second division side’s 3-2 win against West Bromwich Albion on Monday evening, was consequently voted man of the match and invited to the microphone of the club’s own TV station.
What, in the worst case, means nothing more than an annoying inconvenience for most professionals, costs the offensive player of the “Hornets” more effort, because Sema stutters and therefore only very rarely answers the questions of the field reporters.
“I’m happy with the goals and I’m also happy with the win. It wasn’t a sure-fire success here today, it was a good success,” said the left winger, who moved from his Swedish homeland to the London suburb in 2018.
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The Premier League relegated team subsequently shared the courageous conversation on his social channels, inspiring numerous fans who are also affected by the speech disorder.
In the meantime, the clip has been viewed more than eight million times on Twitter and has been commented on with many thanks and expressions of respect.
Ken Sema (29, right) wants to return to the Premier League with Watford FC. © Alastair Grant/AP/dpa
Even the opponent’s coach spoke up on the Twitter platform: “In football, as in life, it makes us stronger when we face our difficulties. The courage to face challenges inspires many people,” wrote Carlos Corberán (39) .
According to an SWR report, more than 830,000 people in Germany alone are affected by the “fluency disorder” – as stuttering is defined in the professional world – with men around five times as often as women.
People who stutter actually know what they want to say, but cannot speak fluently, which can lead to mental stress and affect everyday life. According to the current state of knowledge, the main reason for the speech disorder is assumed to be an inherited predisposition.
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But Sema doesn’t let that hold her back on the pitch. With five goals and six assists in 27 Championship appearances, the speedy winger has been instrumental in keeping Watford still in contention for a play-off spot in seventh place.
The club, in which noble fan and music icon Elton John (75) still holds shares, is only two points behind fourth-placed Blackburn with 50 points and is aiming for a return to the English upper house.