A TOTAL of 26 youth players from six Africa countries will attend this year’s Arsenal Soccer Clinic which will be conducted in Kigali from April 28 to May 2 at Ferwafa grounds in Remera. The week-long training will see 16 boys and 10 girls trained by certified coaches from Arsenal Soccer Schools program, who will offer the selected youngsters a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the ‘Arsenal Way of playing’ The clinic is aimed at nurturing talents in the U17 players who excelled at last year’s Airtel Rising Stars intercontinental tournament held in Lagos, Nigeria. Twelve African countries participated. The courses are based on the same principles used at the club’s training ground, developing young player technical skills and passion for the game to ensure the players’ potential is realised. Airtel Rwanda’s managing director, Teddy Bhullar said, “This clinic is part of Airtel initiatives to identify, develop and nurture young football talent.” The Clinic draws four participants from Uganda, seven from Nigeria, five from Zambia, six from Ghana and four Rwandans. In addition, Rwanda will pilot a two-day ‘Coach the Coaches’ session where the Arsenal Soccer School coaches will run a two-day training course for 30 pre-selected under 17 team soccer coaches from different parts of Rwanda. The session, which is set to start on Saturday and end on Sunday, will be conducted by, among others Arsenal legend Tony Adam. The former England captain is expected in the country next weeks on the invitation of Airtel group.
