Soccer As World Passport

“We are trying to establish very big soccer academy investments not only in Uganda but for the whole of East Africa,� Brockstedt tells The Black Star News

[International: Sports]

 

Soccer, or better, football, as most of the world knows the game, offers talented young Africans an opportunity to showcase their skills on the global arena, while also earning some serious money.

Two talented young Ugandans, Benjamin Ochan and Daniel Serunkuma who were with Uganda’s Kampala Kids League (KKL) and Friends Of Football (FOF), now play in Århus, in Denmark.

Ochan, described as Uganda’s huge hidden talent, and one of the most disciplined players, just turned 18, Tuesday, making him eligible to sign a contract, although there may be a bigger payday if her waits a while. Ochan trains with Viborg, which is not a very strong team; it is fourth from the bottom in the Danish Premier League. He will play his first match this Saturday, against B’93; maybe his skills will help lift the team’s fortunes Clause Brockstedt manager of Ochan and Serunkuma says, “I can tell you Benjamin is definitely going into the window with the best contract next years. Although, he turned 18 years, it’s not wise for him to sign a useless contract. He will make a bigger one next year.”

For the last nine months, Brockstedt has been at the center of a program to improve the welfare of the Ugandan teenagers, including taking them to watch some big-time matches in both Spain and German.

Brockstedt has bigger plans for the East African country’s talents. “We are trying to establish very big soccer academy investments not only in Uganda but for the whole of East Africa,” he tells The Black Star News.

Recently, English powerhouse Manchester United and England International Rio Ferdinand visited Uganda and toured several sports centers and saw young promising players.

Both Ochan and Serunkuma, who turns 18 on December, were provided neat apartments at the AGF Academy where they have lived, trained and studied the Danish language. Ochan is a prized goalkeeper while Serunkuma is a promising master midfield general.

Previously, Uganda has promised a mere handful of recognized International professionals, such as the late Magid Musisi, a.k.a. Tyson, and Livingston Mbabazi, who played for European Clubs Rennes of France and St. Patrick Athletic of Republic of Ireland, respectively. Now the teenagers carry hope for the future.

Investigative reporter Miwambo, who writes for The Black Star from London, is a big sports fan. He can be reached at [email protected]

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