Talented Kenyan footballers now have a chance to be spotted by one of the world’s most popular clubs, Manchester United.
I have just returned from the MYSA project in Nairobi and witnessed the unbelievable talent there first hand. A deal now follows signed between the English Premier League side and Bharti airtel to support a search for young African football stars of the future. Apart from Kenya, the four-year partnership also covers Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Congo Brazzaville.
This is the first deal of its kind signed on the African continent. Apart from the talent search, airtel Kenya customers will also have an opportunity to win tickets to watch the Red Devils play and they will also take part in coaching sessions.
Airtel Kenya managing director, Rene Meza, said: ‘ Football is the universal passion of Africa and there is no bigger club in the world than Manchester United. I’m tremendously excited about the opportunities for young Africans to interact with the brand, win exclusive match tickets and have the chance to train with coaches from one of the leading acadamies in world football.’
He added:’ Manchester United’s Old Trafford home is known as the Theatre of Dreams and that is exactly what we hope to fulfil, the dreams of thousands of youngsters over the next four years. We are also launching our ambitious Allstars initiative, in association with Manchester United to find and nurture African talent to make it right to the top of the professional game.’
From what I have seen we will not have long to wait to see that talent in the Red Devil’s strip.