Mr. Leo's: Interview #1 – Ezekiel Kingston on Chances and Challenges of the Mongolian Football Market.

Ezekiel Kingston is recognized as one of the key figures in the Mongolian football market. As the founder and owner of Tacant Sport's Management, he has played a pivotal role in bringing international players and coaches to Mongolia. In this exclusive interview with Mr. Leo, Kingston discusses the opportunities and challenges of this emerging market and shares his vision for promoting Mongolian talent on the global stage. A look into the strategies and perspectives of a leading player agent determined to unlock the full potential of Mongolian football.

Mr. Leo: "Thank you for joining us, Mister Kingston. You've been a player agent for seven years now, and it's intriguing that you've chosen Mongolia as your focus. To start, could you share a bit about who you are and why you got interested in Mongolian football?"

Ezekiel Kingston: "Thank you, Mr. Leo, for the question. To be honest, the Mongolian market is not the only one I work in as a player agent. I also operate in other markets, including Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Albania, and the Faroe Islands, to name a few.

Lately, however, I have been focusing on trying to dominate the Mongolian market. My goal is not only to represent Mongolian players here but also to help export some players from the Mongolian league abroad. This is one of the biggest challenges I’ve set for myself.

I was close to achieving that goal this summer in Mongolia, and I am optimistic that this could become a realistic opportunity in the near future."

Mr. Leo: "So you were close to achieving that goal this summer. Could you tell us more about what happened? What were the main challenges or turning points in that process?"

Ezekiel Kingston: "Thank you, Mr. Leo. As the famous Jack Ma quote goes, ‘No one does a robot’s work better than a robot’, which, to me, emphasizes the importance of human trust in such dealings. The main turning point in this situation was indeed trust and self-interest.

To provide a bit of background, I had previously facilitated similar deals with clubs like Partizani Tirana in Albania, maintaining good relationships there, as well as in the Faroe Islands with KI Klaksvík. I proposed a development path for this player, who could begin in Albania, gain experience, and then potentially move on to clubs in South Korea or Japan if European options didn’t work out.

Unfortunately, despite initial interest from Partizani Tirana, a lack of clear communication from the Mongolian side disrupted progress. When I eventually received information from the player, I learned that certain assumptions had been made about me, which I felt were unfounded and reflected a lack of trust."

Mr. Leo: "You mentioned unfounded assumptions. Are you referring to prejudices due to your Nigerian background?

I can understand this challenge to some extent. For example, I’ve seen similar prejudices against Mongolians in Germany, where locals sometimes assume anyone from Mongolia is there for social welfare, regardless of their background or status.

I’ve also previously worked in fraud investigation, where I encountered both Nigerian scammers and Nigerian authorities who are actively working to prevent such issues and protect Nigeria’s reputation.

How do you feel about these kinds of stereotypes, and how do they impact your work as a player agent?"

Ezekiel Kingston: "In response to your question about stereotypes and how they affect my work, I have to say that this kind of treatment has only happened to me in Mongolia. I understand that Nigeria has had issues with fraud, and I won’t pretend that our country’s reputation is spotless. But it’s unfair to judge an entire group based on the actions of some.

As I often say, even identical twins may look alike, but they don’t necessarily share the same character or morals. Why, then, should one assume that individuals from the same country all behave the same way? It’s wrong to label everyone as 'bad' based on the actions of a few."

Mr. Leo: "I absolutely agree with what you're saying. Given these challenges, what strategies have you developed to build trust with clubs and players, especially in places like Mongolia where these stereotypes might affect first impressions?"

Ezekiel Kingston: "Over time, I’ve developed a good, honest working relationship with several clubs in Mongolia. However, it often ends up that the clubs eventually choose to end these partnerships. For example, with one club, we had a positive relationship, but things turned when the coach wasn’t paid, and I had to take the case to FIFA. We won, but it was a difficult experience, and I considered taking similar action against an other club you know about. However, repeatedly going to FIFA with such cases could harm Mongolia's reputation within the football community, which I don’t want.

What I need most in my work is transparency and honesty. If I act otherwise, I completely understand that a club would cut ties with me. But if I work cleanly, directly, and with integrity, I believe that my background shouldn’t be a reason not to respect me and my work."

Mr. Leo: "It sounds like you’ve faced some challenges, but clearly, you’ve also found reasons to continue working in Mongolia. What do you think about the Mongolian football market overall? What potential do you see here, and what positive experiences have encouraged you to keep going?"

Ezekiel Kingston: "Talent! If you look back, who would have ever imagined South Korean or Japanese players thriving in Europe’s top leagues—England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain? Yet today, they’re making their mark. I believe talent exists everywhere, and Mongolia is no exception.

Take Ganbold Ganbayar, for example. He’s setting a new standard by playing regularly for KFC Kormano in Europe (Slovakian First League), showing that Mongolian players have the mentality and skills to compete internationally. There are others with this potential. Have you seen [Baljinnyam] Batmunkh play? He’s a midfield wonder! His control, vision, and transitions prove his capabilities. A player like Batmunkh should be in Europe, competing at a high level.

I believe that with a sincere approach, agents like myself can help uncover these talents. Players like Batmunkh deserve the chance to fulfill their dreams of playing abroad, but without a trusted advocate, that path might not seem realistic. That’s where I step in. My goal is to find the best talent in Mongolia and create opportunities for them to prove themselves internationally.

While I can’t assist every Mongolian player, I’m dedicated to supporting the top talents by connecting them with my partner clubs abroad and watching them grow. That’s the vision I have for Mongolian football."

Mr. Leo: "So why, do you think, do other agents overlook the Mongolian market, and what makes you different?"

Ezekiel Kingston: "Different people, of course, have different perspectives on what they want from a player. Some clubs look for players with physical strength, others value mental resilience, and some seek a balance of both. Physically, Mongolian players might not yet be on par with certain international standards, but they are mentally very strong. That mental toughness is something I consistently see in Mongolian players.

If you look at Mongolia’s national team, despite facing much higher-ranked opponents, they’ve managed to keep the scores low, often losing by only one or two goals, even when they mostly field local players with just one or two playing abroad. This shows their drive and resilience.

My goal is to get more Mongolian players into strong leagues abroad, where they can develop their physical skills alongside their mental strengths. This, I believe, would ultimately make Mongolia a more competitive football nation. That’s the reason I’ve focused so much on the Mongolian market. I can’t speak for other agents, but these are my plans and what motivates me."

Mr. Leo: "I think we can both agree that there’s literally no money to be made by exporting Mongolian players abroad: most markets aren’t familiar with the country, and its national team is, at best, practically unknown in the football world."

Ezekiel Kingston: "The main reason it's tough to make money with Mongolian players is that the federation isn’t effectively marketing the players, and league statistics aren’t readily accessible. This lack of visibility is a big challenge. I’ve spoken with a German friend who works at Transfermarkt, and they’re eager to start including statistics from the Mongolian Premier League ("MPL"). That would solve a lot of problems for Mongolian clubs.

Imagine if clubs could regularly sell players abroad for even $50,000; that would make a big difference financially. Clubs wouldn’t have to rely so heavily on funds from the league council, and club football could see real improvement. This would benefit both local and foreign players in Mongolia and make them valuable assets to their clubs.

If this approach takes off, I believe Deren FC would be one of the biggest beneficiaries. Their youth teams already travel to tournaments in Europe, China, and Russia, giving them exposure and experience, which are essential for players who want to make it abroad."

Mr. Leo: "So what’s the benefit for foreign players to play in Mongolia if the Federation isn’t even able to provide the statistics which are necessary for the players' further careers? Nobody sees them but clubs playing against them. Isn't this a vicious circle for them? Dead end MPL, so to say - at the moment, at least?"

Ezekiel Kingston: "For foreign players, it’s a bit different. Sports directors and club coaches abroad often seek players from South America, Africa, and Europe due to their strong mentality and physical power. Foreign players who come to Mongolia usually showcase a high level of play and strength, which, over time, can open doors for them to go abroad more easily than for local players.

Take, for example, Brazilian player Vlademir Everton from SP Falcons FC. He’s currently rumored to be joining a team in Cambodia. Last season, he was neck and neck with Mongolia's national team player [Nyam-Osor] Naranbold in goals scored. But Everton is being considered in Cambodia partly because he’s Brazilian and also because he’s younger than Naranbold.

Our approach is to bring in young, ambitious foreign players who are hungry for success. If they can come to Mongolia, make a strong impact, and score over 20 goals in a season, there’s a good chance they could attract international interest and move abroad. And we’re not leaving local players behind in this process."

Mr. Leo: "For any other team or nation, I would probably agree with you. But Mongolia’s champions, the Falcons, just played last week against Cambodia’s champion, Svay Rieng, in the AFC Challenge League. So, when I hear rumors about Vlademir Everton potentially moving to Cambodia, I immediately think of the AFC Challenge League, which was streamed on YouTube and accessible in Cambodia, with the AFC responsible for the statistics.

Doesn’t this mean that international visibility can only be guaranteed when a team either becomes champion or, as with FC Deren and FC Ulaanbaatar, bringing in renowned international coaches whose words speak louder than any statistic?

Or you, of course, who's constantly monitoring Mongolian football and has his own recruitment network.

So finally let's talk about your network and what clients can exspect when working together with you."

Ezekiel Kingston: "My clients have come to know me for honesty, which is my guiding principle. I’m committed to pushing them beyond their limits to help them excel. I always tell my players that I’m not a magician or a club director; their performance and hard work speak first, before I can.

If I see players in my circle who are lazy or unwilling to work, I let them go. I have high standards, and I’m looking for those who are serious about reaching their potential.

When working with clubs, my aim is not to increase their spending but to help them save and even generate revenue. This way, I’ve built strong, lasting relationships with clubs that see me as a reliable partner."

Mr. Leo: "So, last question: if an interested player or coach could call just one club for a reference about your work - which one would that be?"

Ezekiel Kingston:

Vojislav Bralusic, former coach of FC Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Nikola Vitorovic, current coach of SK Super Nova, Latvia.

Marco Ragini, technical director and current coach of Tajikistan youth national team U16 & U17.

Bill McLeod Jacobsen, current coach of FC Hoyvik, Faroese Island.

Luisma Hernandez, current coach of FK Be1, Lithuania.

Pedro Miranda, former coach of Deren FC, Mongolia.

Mr. Xabir, general director of CSKA Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Sergei Arslanov, current coach of PFC Surkhon Termez, Uzbekistan.

Mr. Aibek, president FC Muras United, Kyrgyzstan.

Nicholas Buchanan, current coach of Harland & Wolff Welders FC, Northern Ireland

Mr. Leo: "Perfect. Thank you very much for this insightful interview with you."

Ezekiel Kingston: "You're welcome, Mr. Leo."