Verani Kartum was born in 1969 in the Anatolian city of Tunceli, Turkey. At the age of seven, in 1976, he was brought to Germany by his parents as the child of guest workers. He spent the early years of his life in Turkey with his relatives and attended elementary school there. When his parents decided to settle permanently in Germany, they brought him there as well. Verani Kartum grew up in the East Westphalian town of Hövelhof and later moved to Paderborn. He successfully completed several vocational training programs to become an automotive mechanic, a wholesale and foreign trade merchant, and a judicial administration and correctional officer. In addition to his professional career, Verani Kartum has been volunteering for over 40 years in sports clubs and many other initiatives. Even as a child, he helped many foreigners—especially people of Turkish origin—with administrative procedures and translation, and regularly supported asylum seekers in asylum shelters at that time.

As he always says, sports—and soccer in particular—helped him successfully integrate into society. Without soccer and without the sports club, his life story wouldn’t be so positive.

In 2012, Verani Kartum decided to found SC Aleviten Paderborn. Inspired by his own life story, he wanted to actively help others and, under the motto “Integration, Inclusion, Social, Sport,” establish a unique sports club that is not primarily focused on the competitive goal of achieving athletic success, but rather serves as a platform where everyone is welcome. SC Aleviten Paderborn has been a success story so far and has received numerous awards for its commitment. Among others, the DFB Julius Hirsch Prize 2018, the German Football Education Prize 2019, the 11th NRW Prize for Women & Girls in Sports 2020, the European Active Civil Society Award 2021, and many other prizes. SC Aleviten is particularly successful in its work with refugees, and over 2,500 refugees have passed through the club. The other focus is on inclusion, where many children, teenagers, and adults are welcome at SC Aleviten and can also do internships and complete vocational training there, in addition to playing soccer.

SC Aleviten Paderborn is supported by many volunteers and funded by donations. This has become increasingly difficult in recent years. SC Aleviten Paderborn and Verani Kartum are deeply concerned about the mood in society; the tone has grown harsher.