Youth sports the way forward for Tanzania

Nowadays every important football club in the world knows that it’s very important to work with kids that can become a part of a professional team in the future. This is why they have academies and plans for young divisions that include doctors, psychologists, personal trainers and other staff.

Soccer development depends much on how invested in youths, where succession of players and contribution to the national team can be vital. Shinyanga region is among few regions that has opted to invest massively in sports.

Last week a Barcelona legend Patrick Kluivert launched a sports academy which has been named after his name in Shinyanga town. He was former Real Madrid player Garcia. The academy means a lot to soccer fraternity in the country and Stand United sports club.

Speaking to Sports Extra, Shinyanga Urban legislator and deputy minister in Vice President’s Office Stephen Masele said the academy that has been launched by Kluivert will be a catalyst of soccer development in Shinyanga and the country at large.

“We are three co-founder of the Academy, with a professional management team. The centre have been named after the Patrick Kluivert Ajax legend,” Masele said

Kluivert said having a soccer academy in Shinyanga is the solution to groom younger soccer stars who will exercise their skills in the country and internationally. He urged youths who are training at the academy to use the opportunity.

“In soccer any professional player needs to have three important which are discipline, attentive and observing the training timetable. I started playing soccer when I was very young…..that gave me confidence as a professional player,” Kluivert said

Masele said they have about twenty acres well planned and developed, and can accommodate more than two hundred players. The legislator said currently Stand United are using the facility for training and camping.

“As you are aware Ajax have the policy to call back most of its influential products to perform different role to promote the game. Under ambassadorial role of Patrick we will receive technical support from there, of course he is bringing his shoes and jersey for the museum of the school,” Masele said

He added that, “We have established a mutual relationship with Ajax Amsterdam, then the next step will be legalising it which will follow after we have finished the basics, and due diligence that’s why Kluivert was here,”

Explaining about the funding of the academy, he said currently the owners are funding it because they are also the one who co-founded Stand United Football Club and has been operating from their finances and other contractual sponsors like that of Premier League.

“This plan was in my mind for many years, and it’s important now that I show the leadership and this transformation needs indeed my leadership that when one day my people will realize and appreciate my vision,” he said

He said after the sports academy is done, then he plans to go for another project of building a central Park in Shinyanga which will be all games inclusive.

“I think for young players the most important thing is to have an academy because in an academy you can learn and watch the good situations,” Masele said.