Asamoah Gyan
Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has disclosed his ambition to become a pilot when he calls time on his career.
Aside from his exploits on the pitch, the 32-year-old striker is well known for his businesses lines and love for music.
To add to his repertoire, he recently announced plans to launch an airline, with support from the Ghana government.
"It's a special honor that the president announced my business and it is positive pressure," he tells CNN. "All business is a risk and I am ready."
Gyan has been pursuing the idea for several years after advisers identified aviation as a sector with rich potential. Passenger numbers in Ghana have shown strong growth which is expected to continue and accelerate in the coming years.
"I conducted research with my team and we identified business opportunities," he says. "The airline idea started from 2012 but I waited for the right time and I believe Ghana's economy is now expanding in many areas (including) the aviation industry."
The striker says his motivation is a mix of personal and patriotic: "A desire to help my country, to create more jobs, and also to have a good life after football."
The 31-year-old expects to face new challenges in the aviation industry, but he believes that skills acquired on the pitch will prove transferable.
"I have learned a lot throughout my career," he says. "Leadership, determination, commitment, perseverance and mental toughness will come into play."
However, there is one new skill that the soccer star is determined to pick up.
"I will learn how to pilot," he says. "Hopefully it will become a part-time job."
A renowned humanitarian and a business mogul, Gyan is the brain behind Baby Jet Promotions, the Asamoah Gyan Foundation, Gyan Investments Limited, Mama Vits Investment Limited, BJ3 Clothing, the Asamoah Gyan Estates, etc. In music, he owns the famous Asa Band.
