By: Kayiira Jackson
In their pursuit to close the big gap between the pre-secondary schools football and post-primary football, an international school located in Bamba- Kiteezi in Gayaza, Twinbrook Schools main campus introduced a soccer academy that is looking at housing over 500 kids.
The school put their idea to action last year and currently they have an academy [Twinbrook Academy] that accommodates over 300 kids between the age of six and 12 years.
To have role models as they grow their talent in football, the School’s director, Jafali Ssenganda and his Co. thought it wise to hire the Africa and Uganda’s football Icon, former Uganda Cranes skipper and the custodian of South Africa’s giant club Mamelodi Sundowns F.C, Denis Masinde Onyango as the Academy’s Brand Ambassador.
Fresh from South Africa before heading to USA for Club World Cup championship, Onyango on Wednesday arrived at the school to officially go into contract with the Academy as well as visit the kids.
“I am happy to be the brand ambassador of Twinbrook Soccer Academy. I am here to inspire the youngsters to take football seriously because football is the richest business. You can make a living out of football,” Onyango, who also donated gloves to the academy, remarked.
“I am also impressed with the facilities, by the time we started football, we had no such facilities, we had no boots but the facility is here, the kids have boots, have good coaches, so they have a firm foundation to start from.” He added.
Onyango didn’t give a specific timeline, he will stay as the Academy’s Ambassador.
“I am the brand Ambassador for this Academy for as long as it’s still existing.”
The director of Twinbrook Schools Hajji Jafari Ssenganda tags football as a multi-million trade that the children ought to take seriously.
“We are excited and glad to have such a superstar as Denis Onyango as a brand ambassador. Football is a multi-million trade (market). We want to brand as a the best soccer academy in Uganda, East Africa and Africa,” Hajji Ssenganda, a sports enthusiast remarked.
“We’re also want to close the gap between the pre-secondary and post-primary football, the like of Dr. Mulindwa Lawrence have invested immensely in secondary school football but a few have invested to grassroots talent.” He added.
Twinbrook Soccer Academy has a current population of over 300 players aged between 6 and 12 years.
They also have a number of qualified coaches: Abdul Hakim Kibirango (head coach), Zaina Namukasa (coach), Abubakar Kajjubi (coach), Fahadi Ssekandi (coach), Joseph Ssettimba (coach), Hannington Fahad Nyakahuma (coach), Pius Kadapo (coach) and Joseph Kigozi (goalkeeping coach).
