Meet Obaid Mohammadi | Youth Soccer Program Administrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Obaid Mohammadi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Obaid, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
At 51 years old, I’ve realized I’ve likely lived more days than I have left. However, I’m in good health and shape, with a lifelong passion for soccer. For the past decade, I’ve volunteered at Walnut Creek Soccer Club, a SURF affiliate in my city, Walnut Creek, CA. As a single parent, I shared my sons’ excitement for soccer, coaching them both. I then helped manage and administer the recreation program, where around 1,500 kids played each fall season.

I reached a crossroad – continue a professionally lucrative but passionless path, or trade it all in to make a grass field my office for life. With humility and gratitude, I chose the latter. My office is now the soccer field, pursuing my true passion.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m grateful for the opportunity to create an afterschool soccer program, enabling kids to play with friends immediately after school instead of attending daycare or indoor activities. It instills the love for a game that mirrors life’s challenges and successes, just as my father, a lifelong coach, instilled in me. The most important lesson is to do what you love. We often worry about status and security, missing the essence of the human experience – giving, teaching, sharing, and exploring together. Soccer has brought people from diverse backgrounds together globally.

Growing up in war-torn Afghanistan and later as an immigrant in India and the U.S., soccer was an outlet during trauma, assimilation, and the challenges of reaching adulthood. Language barriers disappeared on the field, replaced by universal handshakes and high-fives. I humbly hope Afterschool Futbol will be known for its inclusion, fun competitive environment, and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would catch a local soccer match at Heather Farm Park. Visit the two breweries in town, CaliCraft and Mike Hess. For lunch we’d go to Main Street Kitchen and spend the afternoon at Civic Park with our dogs.

We’d catch our pro soccer teams’ games at Oakland Roots and San Jose Earthquakes.

We’d have to also make time to go to Napa, exploring the beautiful terrain and my favorite winery to spend time, V. Sattui.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My father, Hedayat.

Website: www.afterschoolfutbol.org