On April 2nd, 2014, Ace Africa (TZ) and Future Stars Academy (FSA) completed the successful pilot season of the “Ace Future Stars Football League” with an electrifying finale at Kisongo Primary School. In its initial season, the league achieved its goal to bring high-quality football training and sporting opportunities to some of the poorest and most disadvantaged children in rural Tanzania.
The finale included a boys’ and girls’ all-star team, featuring players drawn from league teams, which faced off against teams from the FSA. Showcasing the skills they developed in the league, the league “All-Star” teams defeated both FSA teams. The crowd, with over 500 children and community members in attendance, boisterously cheered the players and celebrated the victories by dancing around the field.
The games were followed by an award ceremony. Kisongo Primary School was awarded the trophy for the top team in the boys’ division, while Lemugur Primary School won the girls’ division. The most valuable players were Frank Lesikari from Lesiraa Primary School in the boys’ division and Mwanahamisi Hamis from Lovilukunyi Primary School in the girls’ division. Ace Africa also announced that it will sponsor the top 24 league players (2 boys and girls from each team) to participate in the FSA training programme for a 9-month period, further developing their football skills and knowledge.
Joanna Waddington, founder and country director of Ace Africa, and Alfred Itaeli, founder and director of FSA, spoke to the crowd about the successes and impact of the initial season. Pudenciana Ngamanya, District Sports & Culture Officer, discussed the importance of girls’ inclusion in the league and her hopes for future league expansion. Ally Mtumwa, the Northern Zone Instructor for the Tanzania Football Federation, stressed that development of the country’s future football talent required starting at the primary school level, as the league had done.
Initial feedback from schools on the league’s impact is extremely positive. The number of boys and girls playing football at league schools increased by 106% and 217%, respectively, following league play. The percentage of children attending school on a daily basis increased by 17%. 90% of teachers felt that the league and participation in it improved health and school performance and taught teamwork, while 80% deemed that it increased self-esteem and confidence. There was also widespread agreement that the league improved relationships between schools, as well as attitudes towards girls’ enrollment in school and participation in sport.
Dependent on funding, Ace Africa hopes to expand the league to serve more disadvantaged youth in the future. Ace Africa thanks Eton College and Glen Pierce for its generous support of the league’s pilot season.
To see Ace Africa’s Future Stars Football League in action, please click here. We also hit local Tanzanian News!