Handball is his life
The newspaper ProSport presents you Aihan Omer (46 years old), newly winner of Challenge Cup with UCM Resita team, as seen by his family.
The Challenge Cup Finals finished nearly two hours ago. The handball players from UCM Resita are celebrating in Norway the trophy wins. About 2,000 kilometers distance from Drammen, at The Black Sea shore, the victory is enjoyed at the same intensity.
Saturday, at Constanta, was a white night in the house of the coach Aihan Omer. The family of the most in vogue technician of the Romanian Men Handball Sport was unable to shut their eyes, tormented by the dramatic nature of the final and the importance of the moment. An interview scheduled with the newspaper for Monday turned out in an ad-hoc midnight reportage. "Why postponing? Anyhow, nobody is sleeping, let's talk now!" said the coach's wife.
Omer's family lives in an old-fashioned house. It's a common one, lost between the villas built across the road and in front of the gateway there is an odd enough Dacia car. At home are three of the family members, Nurgian, Elis and Nezaet Omer, namely the wife, the daughter and the father of the coach. The eldest son, Erkan (18 years old), is in Norway. "What do you want to now?" asks Omar senior? "Who's Aihan", is our answer. This was enough: each of them tries to "put a brick" at the statue of the coach.
"He was a good child. He used to collect stamps, was a good pupil and polite with everybody. He started to ply football with the team "Portul" but, most times, he came home with his knees scratched. I didn't let him to play anymore. At the age of 13 he was set about handball. Or, better saying, it was handball that grabbed him and holds him until now. He makes nothing else, he doesn't want to and he even doesn't now to. When he came home at Constanta, he doesn't hammer even a nail. We do everything in the house and let him to relax", tells us Nezaet.
He wasn't accepted to coach a women team because he was too handsome...
Aihan ended his career as handball player in 1991, after playing at "Dinamo". He wasn't a tip of his generation but his value allowed him to be selected 40-ty times in the National Team. At the age of 31 he changed the player outfit with the coach one. First, he took his chance with the women team of "Hidrotehnica", but he was forced to give up six months latter. Some gossips say that his bosses at that time have declared that it was risky to keep suck a young and handsome coach at a women team.
So that, he went to Medgidia, with which he succeeded to be promoted in the Division A, then to Pitesti, Baia Mare, Piatra-Neamt, Constanta and Resita. Out of 19 years of marriage, he spent 9 of them far away from his wife. "It wasn't possible to leave together. At first, the children were too small, then it was my job (footnote - she was working as an engineer). But, we've meet as much as possible and the fact that I've seen his satisfaction for what his is doing was enough for me. He is born for handball; he loves and respects this sport, and leaves nothing at the mercy of fate. He prepares even the training sessions.
Every time, he takes with him his blackboard, video-cassettes, CDs and, lately, his laptop. He locks himself up in the room, analyzing hundreds of games, saying that he has something to learn from each of them. Before game, it's impossible to discuss with him. His thoughts are only at strategies. When you talk with him is as if you're talking to yourself. If he loses, he "grieves silently" says Nurgian. Elis (15 years old) also speaks highly, saying: "He is the best father in the world. He never quarreled with us. He didn't have the necessary time as he was away most of the time. But, he told us to put passion and devotion in everything we do. For him, each game is as a thrilling book". And Aihan is writing this book, day by day, with gold letters.
One day before the game it's impossible to discuss with him. His thoughts are only at strategies and playing schemes. Even in his sleep, he is dreaming at what happened or what could happen on the field.
At first, the handball play was only like a hobby for me. Then, it became a passion. Do you know what it's really interesting? I do what I like and I'm even paid for this. It would be a pity not to do my job as it should be. Me dream is to win the Champions League.
All my success is due to my family. I enjoyed the calm, they sacrificed themselves for me. It's nor easy to see your husband or father only once or twice a month. They gave me strengths to continue and the results obtained represent my way to thank them.
Alexandru Enciu
Article from: PROSPORT
