Jun 17
Rio Ferdinand to setup football academy in Uganda
The Guardian reports this morning that Rio Ferdinand is to setup a footballing academy in Uganda.
Apparently Rio was very well received by the people there:
‘I thought there might be the odd fan and a couple of workers from the football school at the airport,’ Ferdinand said of the throng that jammed the 10-mile route from Entebbe airport to the capital, Kampala. ‘I was waving out of the window but then was told that I should really acknowledge it so I stood out of the roof. At one point I welled up.’
Rio had gone over to meet with President Yoweri Museveni, who has offered Ferdinand - backed by Nike, West Ham and Manchester United - land on which to build a Proline Soccer Academy.
Work on the academy will start immediately and should be finished by the end of next year. The school will cost about £300,000, which, smart footy fans will quickly tell you, is about what Rio probably makes in a month.
Cynicism aside, it’s good to see footballers giving back to the society. And the fact that it’s actually using football as a means to educate children and is not focusing on getting other footballers ‘merked’ makes it worth supporting.
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Tags: Manchester United News
June 17th, 2007 at 12:31
Good for Rio
June 17th, 2007 at 16:20
Trust me it’s a good idea. I live in Uganda. The talent is here in abundance. It just had no exposure. Ferdinand’s friendship with the academy’s director and founder will give it the marketing it deserves.
June 17th, 2007 at 17:42
aah now Ahmed, I think your being a bit easy on Ferdinand. If he only made 300,000 a month he would be extremely unhappy:)
Good to see him doing this though
June 19th, 2007 at 16:26
Thank you Rio, its a good idea. I kiked the way my President reacted by offering land to the academy. It is a good idea. The talent is in Uganda and i believe it will be a great success. Lets all support Rio, thanks. JUDE
June 20th, 2007 at 9:45
Hi
Well done to Rio Ferdinand. I am here living in the United Kingdom but their is never opportunities for us to ever have a chance of joining an academy. I’ve played for West Ham now looking to make it for Woking but every club you go doesn’t give a chance at all. I think it is stupid. I am Ugandan and i’ve always wanted to play for my country but i Can’t because in the UK their is little chance of that. Of british born getting a chance to play. It is stupid but thank you Rio Ferdinand. Ill keep on watching you at Old trafford even though i am just 16. I could’ve been Uganda’s 1st hero but UK doesnt let u have the chance.
June 21st, 2007 at 5:23
@ Infakamaz just keep playing football mate. You young enough to still become a hero fro Uganda. We are still building for the future….
July 17th, 2007 at 13:29
Thanks Keith Moses. I will keep playing and trying.
December 13th, 2007 at 19:21
Thanks alot to Ferdinand for starting a school in uganda.
Iam a manchester united fun. started supporting this club in 2002 while at makerere university, and before that year i did not know about english premiereship football or even this club it self. The point is i have a little brother of 13 years who has just completed Primary seven staying deep in the village in kabale district- in southwestern uganda and is very passionate about manchester united, he even knows the players names yet there is no television in the village and also always informed of the club news. My humble question is how can he join ans participate in this school’ activities.
Thank You.
Connie.