{
  "id": 1216925,
  "title": "Footballer bounces back from cancer to co-found club",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/footballer-bounces-back-from-cancer-to-co-found-club",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-16T06:32:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/footballer-bounces-back-cancer-co-063238287.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former footballer Bader Al-Akkad, who battled cancer and left his Stockport County academy career behind, co-founded Phoenix United in Dubai to provide second chances for aspiring footballers. Bader and his brother Amer, born in Manchester to Syrian parents, spent their early years in Damascus before moving to the UK in 2012 due to conflict in Syria. After receiving treatment, Bader started the club with his brother to offer both sporting and academic opportunities to football enthusiasts. The journey to launch Phoenix United has been challenging, but Bader describes it as a massive achievement. He expresses pride in being both Syrian and Manchesterian, and acknowledges the support he received from Stockport County during his youth days. Bader's passion for football stems from his grandfather's professional career and his own experiences at Rochdale and Stockport County. Despite his cancer diagnosis, Bader found solace in his faith and the support of his family and friends. He now leads Phoenix United, focusing on recruitment and squad development, while also emphasizing the importance of education alongside football.",
  "summary": "Bader Al-Akkad's \"long journey\" took in the war in Syria and a career-ending cancer diagnosis.",
  "key_points": [
    "Bader Al-Akkad battled cancer and co-founded Phoenix United in Dubai.",
    "Born in Manchester to Syrian parents, Bader and brother moved to UK in 2012.",
    "Club offers sporting and academic opportunities to football enthusiasts."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}