Cape Times

Sunderland AFC a tool unearthing jewels of Tanzanian talent

- Anthony Fenton

SUNDERLAND AFC, which recently visited Tanzania as part of its ongoing relationsh­ip with the country, has continued to share its expertise and knowledge on the ground with its partners as well as local communitie­s.

As Sunderland AFC continues to develop and expand its relationsh­ips across Africa with a number of organisati­ons, SAFC’s head of internatio­nal football developmen­t, Graham Robinson, visited two mines owned by Acacia Mining to deliver coaching sessions to members of its community in nearby villages.

Acacia Mining plc is Tanzania’s largest gold miner and one of the largest producers of gold in Africa. The company has three producing mines, all located in north-west Tanzania: Bulyanhulu, Buzwagi and North Mara, and a portfolio of exploratio­n projects in Tanzania, Kenya and Burkina Faso.

The coaching session, led by Graham, formed part of Acacia Mining’s CSR project to deliver footballin­g sessions and coach education to its football teams and coaches.

The session, hosted at Bulyanhulu Mine School, included Acacia’s football team coaches as well as coaches from the surroundin­g villages, participat­ing in various training themes, including dribbling and technique.

Speaking about the sessions, Graham said: “We delivered a number of different activities to the group and the session had a good flow, with the coaches getting involved and asking lots of questions.

“Community football is the starting point for many players, and through our many partnershi­ps in Africa we have a long-held commitment and reputation for investing in community and education programmes.”

Following the session, Graham also observed a local football match between Bugarama Secondary School and Bulyanhulu Secondary School, with the SAFC delegate handing out two balls and a pennant for each team.

Graham added: “We very much value the positive relationsh­ips we have in Tanzania, and aim to have a foothold in the local communitie­s we are working in, achieving targets while enhancing and improving people’s lives.”

As part of Graham’s visit to Tanzania, he also met with Symbion Power officials to visit the site where the Jakaya M Kikwete Youth Park will be situated. Sunderland AFC are providing technical and practical support in the park, with Symbion Power financing the project.

Sunderland AFC has establishe­d itself as one of the most recognised and respected Barclays Premier League clubs across Africa, and through its many partnershi­ps, relationsh­ips and grass-root activities African fans can truly see the impact SAFC is having on many people’s lives.

For more informatio­n about Sunderland AFC’s global activities, please visit www.safc.com/safcglobal. Join the conversati­on by following @Sunderland­AFC on Twitter or Like www. facebook.com/Sunderland­AFC

Fenton is the Business and Commercial PR Executive, Sunderland Associatio­n Football Club

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