Airtel Soccer Clinic opens with call for participants to aim high

 Manchester United Soccer schools coaches – Andrew Stokes  (Right) and Neil Scott (left) attend the launch ceremony of the Manchester United international clinic at the Azam Complex, Dar es Salaam.

 Cross sections of Airtel Rising Stars players follow the proceedings of the launch of the Manchester United International soccer clinic at the Azam Complex, Dar es Salaam. The clinic which will run from 23^rd-27^th April has brought has brought together 12 African countries.

 Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Assistant Coach Mahadhi Juma Maalim, kicks the ball to officially launch the Manchester United International soccer clinic at the Azam Complex, Dar es Salaam. The clinic which will be under the guidance of the Manchester United soccer school coaches will run from 23^rd-27^th April, 2014.

Participants of the Manchester United International soccer clinic perform warmth before the start of the training. The clinic which was launched today will be under the guidance of the Manchester United soccer school coaches.

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Airtel Soccer Clinic opens with call for participants to aim high

Dar-es-Salaam, 23^rd April 2014…Over 72 girls and boys from 12 countries across the continent have today started five-day intensive soccer training at Azam Complex, Chamazi, on the outskirts of the city under coaches from Manchester United Soccer Schools. This is the second time that Tanzania has been accorded the honor to host the training.

Speaking at the launch event, the Guest of Honor Honorable 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 gives 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 behavioural 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 host – Tanzania. Earlier in his welcome speech, Airtel Tanzania Managing Director Sunil Colaso re-emphasized 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 testimonial that this program has started meeting its preset goal”, said Colaso. 

 Recently elected 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 in the near future.