Italian giants Sampdoria start scouting players from Uganda

Manco hands over a replica jersey to Ssebagala Sseninde, who officiated the launch of the youth football clinic. PHOTO BY BRIAN MUGENYI

KAMPALA- Italian Serie A club Sampdoria has partnered Excellent Sports Company (ESCL) to hone talented football players in Uganda.

Sampdoria signed a memorandum of understanding with ESCL on Monday during the launch of a 10-day youth football clinic that will be conducetd at Mandela National Stadium Namboole.
The Sampdoria delegation was led by three youth coaches; Bracco Manco, Roberto Morosini and Pipolo Alessandro.

Serie A’s reputation as a slow league for older players is outdated.
Italian football is developing some of the world’s most exciting players and Sampdoria is at the forefront.

They have nurtured youngsters like Milan Skriniar, Arsenal’s Lucas Torreira, Polish Karol Linetty, Pedro Pereira and Patrik Schick, among others.
The coaches took the 35 selected players aged between six and 20 years through drills.

“We want to help these kids get enough training from international coaches or even play soccer for teams in Europe. We are doing this for the first time in Africa, so Ugandans should embrace this initiative,” said, Manco.

Benard Sabiiti, the chairman ESCL said that the best four players will be taken to Sampdoria for further mentorship.