HENDON'S young midfielder Hamza Semakula was named by Sir Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, in a question about National Health Service delays when he challenged Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“Today I spoke to Hamza Semakula,” Sir Keir said in Prime Minister's Questions. “Hamza is 20 and he plays semi-professional football for Hendon.
“He tore his ACL earlier this year. Because of the two-year wait for surgery, he had to crowdfund for a private operation.”
Interviewed by Tony Livesey on BBC Radio 5 Live's 5 Live Drive show, Semakula, who won the Manager's Player of the Year award in 2021-22, said: “I spoke to someone that works for Sir Keir and she told me I would be mentioned today. It felt quite good to have my story told and to hear myself put out there.”
He went on to say: “When I had the injury, I couldn't work, I couldn't really leave my house and I couldn't do the things I would normally do. The NHS said I would go on a waiting list and I spoke to other people who were waiting for the same surgery and they were waiting for a year, or more.
“I don't really have nine months to waste so I had to try and find an alternative. It made me want to create a crowdfund. I told them my story, how I loved football and I can't see myself doing anything else. I had come across a bumpy road and I needed a little bit of help to get me back up. “It cost £7,500 and it was raised in about a month. I was gobsmacked that people were helping me out, and their kind words and sharing. It was really appreciated.”
The operation took place last month and it appears it was a complete success. He is about to start the long rehabilitation process which is likely to rule him out for almost all of the 2022-23 season.
