He is a familiar face at the BVC Bloemendaal football club in Bloemendaal: Baidy N’Diade. He has been training youth for years. In addition, he even played in the first team until a few years ago. Last week, the Mauritanian received a special message. A letter from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) stated that he will officially receive Dutch citizenship after 22 years. “This is really very special, I am very happy.”
Baidy actually has no words for it. He knew he would receive a message because he was allowed to apply for Dutch citizenship last year, but he was still surprised with the letter that fell on his mat last week. “This means a lot to me. I feel so at home here in Bloemendaal, so I’m really happy.”
Baidy was still a teenager when he was brought to Senegal from his home country of Mauritania. From there he fled to Paris, from where he continued his journey to the Netherlands. Baidy does not want to say much about his past. “I’ve already told you all that.” He eventually ended up in Bloemendaal where he has lived ever since. In 2008 he received a residence permit.
The first team
Not long after arriving, Baidy reported to the football club in Bloemendaal. “I used to learn to play football on the street and could have become a professional football player, but I didn’t have the papers to play at a professional club,” he says. But Baidy is not bitter on this subject. “No, I am actually not dissatisfied with how everything turned out. If it is not the case, then it is not the case. Then I accept it.”
Baidy did end up in the first team of BVC Bloemendaal and started working as a youth trainer. “He is a very familiar face of the club,” says chairman Erik Holtz. “For years actually. He is also a really good footballer.”
New Dutchman
The club will see if they can organize something in collaboration with the municipality of Bloemendaal regarding Dutch citizenship for Baidy. “We don’t know exactly what we’re going to do yet, but we’re going to organize something,” said Holtz.
Mayor Elbert Roest van Bloemendaal is also happy for Baidy. He congratulates him on his Facebook page and looks forward to a festive gathering at the football club where he will naturalize Baidy.
Baidy himself does not need much attention for his personal story. But he likes it when the club pays attention to his Dutch citizenship. “I was very well taken care of by Bloemendaal. I trained all the boys at the club, I live close to the club and I am just a ‘child of Bloemendaal’.”