Global money transfer firm, WorldRemit in collaboration with Arsenal Football Club of England has announced the shortlist of 16 names from Africa for the second edition of the Future Stars Programmes in recognition of their valuable contributions to their communities using grassroots football to provide leadership and direction for young people. The 16 youth footballs coaches, out of which eight are women have been commended for teaching the children they train life skills on and off the pitch.
Through the programme, WorldRemit will sponsor two winners – one male and one female – to fly to London for a personalised training session with Arsenal Football Development coaches. The project which has been running for the past few months had entry closed on 4 September, with the programme received over 1,400 entries from coaches from across Africa and the Americas.
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Sources from WorldRemit and Arsenal Football Development say that a panel of judges reviewed the applications and selected 20 semi-finalists, including 16 coaches from Africa, based on the following criteria: the commitment of the coach to improving the lives of their community, the impact the coach has had on young people within their community and the strength of the coach’s proposal to pass on their training on their return home. To this end, the 20 semi-finalists will receive Arsenal shirts for their youth squad in recognition of their commitment to using football to bring their communities together. Moreso, from the 20 semi-finalists, the judging panel will select eight coaches – four male and four female – as finalists. Their stories will be shared onFutureStars website while two winners will be chosen based on a public vote on the website and WorldRemit will invite them to England.
The Coaches shortlisted in the Future Stars from Africa are from Uzoma Kingsley Akanador of Unity International Charity Organisation in Lagos, Ademilokun Oluwaseun David of XPR Football in Lagos, Chinasa Ukanda of Help The Talent Academy in Lagos, Towobola Grace Iyanuoluwa of Hostel Football Team and Assistant Coach at CityBoys Football Club in Ibadan and Modupe Marilyn Jiwalde Pusmut, Coach at Future Stars FC Sabon Barki in Jos.
Others are Feisal Abdi Hassan, a coach in Nairobi, Beldine Lilian Achieng Odemba of Kariobangi Sharks Academy in Nairobi, Susan Wanjiru Njoki of Kahawa Sportive Soccer Academy in Nairobi and Everline Achieng Onyango of Mukuru Starlets in Nairobi. They also have Samuel Taylor of EM Sporting Club, Accra, Alhassan Iddi Manzah of Northern Women’s Football Clubs Association in Tamale-Dalun, Ghana, Bakit Isaac Agogo of Watoto Sports Academy in Gulu, Uganda, Andrew Amanya of Kigezi Soccer Academy in Kabale, and Nabisenke Joan a coach in Kampala also in Uganda. From Zimbabwe they have Titus Tongesai Sanagurai of Big Stuff Youth Soccer Academy in Harare and Winnet Muranganwa of Zengeza Busters Soccer Academy in Chitungwiza .
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Speaking on this development, the Managing Director for Africa and the Middle East at WorldRemit, Mr. Andrew Stewart while congratulating the semi finalists noted that his organization’s business is all about connecting communities, no matter where they are in the world. “We developed Future Stars to celebrate the amazing work that football coaches do to support young people and have been so impressed by the quality and diversity of the applications this year”, he added.
The Head Coach at Arsenal Football Development Simon McManus said that Arsenal is thrilled to partner with WorldRemit to recognise coaches who use the power of football to inspire and support young people across the globe. He pointed out that “We have one of the most successful women’s sides in the world and are committed to encouraging greater participation in the sport among women. Through this edition of Future Stars, we hope to further amplify the positive impact that female coaches have on their communities”, he added.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.