Over 72 girls and boys from twelve countries across
the continent yesterday started five-day intensive soccer training at
Azam Complex, Chamazi, on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam under coaches
from Manchester United Soccer Schools.
This is the second time that Tanzania has been accorded the honor to host the training.
Speaking during the launching the guest of honor Mahadhi Juma Maalim
who is the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation showered praise on Airtel for coming up with the youth
football program designed to propel Africa into football prosperity.
The clinic provides the youngsters a rare opportunity to enjoy the
wealth of football experience from Manchester United soccer schools
curriculum which seeks to produce well balanced soccer players who can
play attractive attacking game. The program is expected to dwell on
technical, physical and behavioral aspects of football.
Maalim challenged the participating players to pay great attention to
the training sessions and keep in mind that this clinic could be the
beginning of their success in life through football.
‘You must bear in mind that football today is not just a source of
entertainment but it has become a source of reliable employment to
millions of people around the world’, he told the keen audience which
included diplomatic corps, soccer officials from the Tanzania Football
Federation and the media.
This year’s clinic brings together selected youngsters, girls and boys,
from Kenya, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville,
DRC, Niger, Madagascar, Gabon, Seychelles and the hosts Tanzania.
Earlier in his welcome speech, Airtel Tanzania managing director Sunil
Colaso re-emphasised his company’s commitment to supporting the U-17
football program and in Tanzania and other parts of the continent.
He expressed his satisfaction on the passion and excitement that Airtel
Rising Stars has created among players and supporters over the past
three years of its existence.
‘The inter-country tournament held in Nigeria last year exhibited a lot
of unique talents which is a clear testimony that this program has
started meeting its preset goal’, said Colaso.
TFF President Jamal Malinzi underscored the importance of youth football
programs and described Airtel initiatives to invest into football as
stitch in time. Malinzi’s mission is to see Tanzania taking part in the
Africa Cup of Nations next year.
