Child Africa links up with Man United
Aug 01, 2016
Pestell added that they plan to work closely with the ManU brand to try and promote girl soccer
Newly appointed Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho must have come with even bigger opportunities for the grassroots soccer community in
Uganda.
The club is estimated to have about 173 million supporters in the Middle East and Africa but these figures are likely to even double in the near future especially with the growing intention to expanding the fan base in Uganda and other African nations.
Last Friday, Child Africa, a local child support NGO received hundreds of playing kits including balls, jerseys and boots at their home in Kabale as part of the club’s plan to try and grow the sport in various communities.
The kids were excited after receiving kit from Manchester United
“A friend of ours Sammy Halford connected us to the club and I am happy they responded so fast to our appeal. I think we shall grow this relationship even further and maybe at one time they would come out openly and fully sponsor this project,” head of volunteers team Mark Pestell said.
Pestell added that they plan to work closely with the Manchester United brand to try and promote girl soccer alongside the boys and also complete a class building in Kabale as part of their future projects.
Child Africa Founder and Managing Director Julie Solberg (right) with her husband Rino Solberg.
“Although I don’t play soccer myself but I feel the girl child has not been given the opportunity to discover their football talents like the boys and we thought it will be wise to make them our next target,” he stated.
At the dinner hosted at Kansanga, Child Africa founder Julie and Rino Solberg said that the 25-year-old NGO was pleased to work closely with a club that was founded 1878 as they look towards emulating Man-U’s success story.