Real Madrid extends assistance to Uganda

Real Madrid Junior Academy coordinator Ludema (left) talks to Ugandan coaches at Nsambya yesterday morning. Photo by Eddie Chicco

What you need to know:

Soccer. Spanish club, through their foundation, are currently training 20 local coaches on how to nurture young talent. About 200 children will benefit from the project at Nsambya Youth Sharing Centre.

Not very many associations can be appealing to one of Europe’s most illustrious clubs, Real Madrid.

Nsambya Youth Sharing Centre is one proud affiliate, the sports midpoint having had their proposal to the nine-time European champions last year to help make life for disadvantaged children a worthwhile living approved.

As a result, Victor Dea Arce Ludema, the coordinator for the Real Madrid Junior Academy, is here training 20 coaches from across the country on how to handle junior players. About 200 children, 50 of whom are at the centre’s football school, stand to benefit from the project, thanks to the partnership between Real Madrid Foundation and Sharing Youth Centre.
“Our principle objective is to see children study as they play football,” Dea Arce, clad in a Real Madrid white jacket and black shots, told Daily Monitor before he took the 20 coaches through morning drills at Nsambya with seven-year-plus olds looking on, yesterday.

“And in the near future, we hope to see them learn the technical bit of football and not stay on the streets.

“It is very important for Real Madrid Foundation that the children from the entire world, in this case Uganda, leave the streets, play football, study and leave a comfortable life.” Dea Arce, who could not readily answer questions directly related to Madrid as a club, strictly said he is here on a purely humanitarian cause.

“Real Madrid’s principle objective is to win the Champions League, La Liga…but the Foundation objective is the children to study, play football, stay in a good condition, it is very important they have time to play, to study.” Sharing Youth Centre sports director, Hillary Guino, believes the project, to which the Spanish will do a follow-up in May, will benefit the children.

“Every kid that comes here will have access to a coach,” he said, “So we are confident of results.”
The coaches’ training that started on Saturday climaxes tomorrow.