Sunderland AFC celebrates opening of youth park in Tanzania
President Jakaya Kikwete (second left) during one of his visits at the youth park which was officially unveiled to the public for the first time by officials from Sunderland AFC. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
The park, which will provide a full-size 3G artificial turf football pitch, two five-a-side pitches, one sand-based pitch, and two football courts, will be open year round, seven days a week beginning on October 19, to help improve the sporting skills of the Tanzanian youth.
Dar es Salaam. Over one thousand people attended the opening of the Jakaya Kikwete Youth Park on Saturday as it was officially unveiled to the public for the first time by officials from Sunderland AFC (SAFC), Symbion Power, NBA Africa and Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.
The park, which will provide a full-size 3G artificial turf football pitch, two five-a-side pitches, one sand-based pitch, and two football courts, will be open year round, seven days a week beginning on October 19, to help improve the sporting skills of the Tanzanian youth.
The opening event featured a variety of interactive stations, ranging from SAFC’s Head of International Football Development, Graham Robinson, delivering football sessions to over 500 youngsters, plus performances from the NBA Atlanta Hawks Sky Squad and an appearance from SAFC legend Kevin Ball.
As part of its involvement SAFC will provide technical and practical support to the development of the park, which will see thousands of youngsters benefit from a joined up approach combining sport, education and community engagement, harnessing the knowledge and expertise of Sunderland AFC and its own successful academy.
Margaret Byrne, Sunderland’s CEO, at the launch said: “Community football was the starting point for many of our professional players. It provides the perfect structure to grow and develop as not only a player but also as a person. It teaches you the timeless qualities of leadership, responsibility, perseverance and teamwork.
