Two Ugandans for "Future Stars" coaching programme

FOOTBALL  

Two Ugandans are among eight coaches that have been selected as finalists for the Future Stars coaching programme.

A panel of judges from Arsenal and its official online money transfer partner, WorldRemit, selected the eight finalists that will now compete in a public vote on www.futurestars.worldremit.com for the chance to attend a personalised training programme with Arsenal Football Development coaches in London.

Isaac Bakit Agogo from Gulu and Joan Nabisenke from Kampala are the Ugandans that will now compete for the public vote alongside; Feisal Abdi Hassan from Kenya
Luis Alejandro Castañeda Vargas from Colombia and Samuel Taylor from Ghana.

Nabisenke is up against other female finalists that include Beldine Lilian Achieng Odemba from Kenya, Chinasa Ukandu from Nigeria and Vivian Johana Pirateque Garzón from Colombia.

Two winners - one male and one female - will be chosen by a public vote to fly to London for the training. The online voting ends today.

The Future Stars programme was developed by WorldRemit and Arsenal to celebrate the positive impact that grassroots youth football coaches have on their communities, helping the children they train to develop life skills both on and off the pitch. Now in its second edition, the programme received over 1,400 online applications this year from across Africa and the Americas.

 "Our business is all about making it easier for our customers to send money home to support their communities. Together with Arsenal, we set up the Future Stars programme to recognise football coaches within these communities who are dedicated to supporting and lifting up others.

"Our eight finalists' stories are a testament to the transformative impact that football can have on young people. We are delighted to celebrate their success and wish them all the best in the public vote," WorldRemit Managing Director Middle East & Africa Andrew Stewart, stated.

 "Through our community initiatives in London and abroad, we work hard to promote greater diversity in football and positively impact the lives of young people through sport.

"When developing this year's Future Stars programme with WorldRemit, it was important for us to highlight the benefits of encouraging more women into the sport, both as players and as coaches. The eight finalists we have chosen all stood out to us due to their passion and commitment to using football to bring young people from all walks of life together." Simon McManus, Head Coach at Arsenal Football Development, said.