The Greatest of All Time

Chapter 17 - The Medical

The day dawned crisp and clear.

As promised, Mr. Stein picked the two boys from their new apartment at Moholt student village at 8:55 AM. Zachary and Kasongo had long been ready and were waiting for the scout in the parking lot. They'd dressed in heavy clothing to shield themselves from the morning coldness. They were eager to commence their first day as academy players in Norway.

"How was your night," Mr. Stein asked as the Toyota Carib they were in pulled out of the parking lot, heading into the main road. The aged scout was on the steering while the two boys sat in the back, admiring the sceneries.

"Quite good," Kasongo was the first to reply, smiling. "I slept like a baby the whole night."

"Same here. The night couldn't have been better." Zachary also responded. His new comfy bed, with silk duvets and cotton bed sheets, was like a heaven on earth to him. He'd entered a deep slumber right after eating a self-cooked delicious dinner the previous evening. The heater in the room guaranteed that the cold outside never affected his sleep. He already liked his new life.

"I'm happy to hear that." Mr. Stein smiled, keeping his eyes on the road. "We'll first head to the NTNU Sports Department where you'll undergo a medical. Your move to Rosenborg BK won't be finalized unless you pass the medical tests there." He added solemnly.

"But we're academy players," Kasongo contested, frowning. "And we've already gone through mandatory check-ups in Lubumbashi. You remember?"

"The academy coaches need to know that you're a worthwhile investment. Of course, I trust that the two of you are fit since I was with you in Lubumbashi." Mr. Stein paused as he rounded a round-about before entering another wider street, with denser traffic. Zachary noticed that there wasn't any traffic jam on the roads of Trondheim. Many people were on their bikes in a side lane, probably riding to work.

Mr. Stein continued his explanation after entering the straight section of the road.

"We'll be trying to give the academy as much information as possible because, in the end, they've to decide whether they want to train you or not. The results of the medical will also help them design a better training plan for you once you enter the academy."

"But what happens if we fail?" Kasongo asked. Zachary also nodded to indicate his doubts.

"No worries," Mr. Stein smiled. "You'll still be allowed to spend six months at the academy before being sent back to Africa. But I have confidence in you. You won't fail."

They spent the rest of the minutes of their car ride in silence. The boys seemed to be worried about the medicals while Mr. Stein was busy navigating the road. A few minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot of the gigantic building housing the sports department. It was roughly six to eight stories high, by Zachary's estimation.

"This here is St. Olav's University Hospital complex," Mr. Stein said as they exited their ride. "The offices of NTNU's Sports Department are in the building. You'll undergo your medical there."

**** ****

An hour later, Zachary sat on an exercise bike in a well-equipped room, similar to a gym. He frowned at the medical specialist. The doctor had taken him through hell as an excuse for a warm-up. Every five minutes, the resistance of the bike increased, putting more strain on his limbs. He was already in agony even before the real medical commenced.

'I wonder how Kasongo is doing.' He mused.

He'd been separated from Mr. Stein and Kasongo right after meeting with the medic who was to conduct his medical. The middle-aged doctor had introduced himself as Dr. Alexander Vaeystein before leading him to the gym. There, he'd requested Zachary to warm-up on the bike until he said otherwise. Zachary did not complain but carried out the exercise as instructed. However, it was already close to an hour, yet the doctor wasn't putting a stop to his warm-up. Zachary was frustrated.