Sunderland Football Club, England has pledged its commitment to improving the development of football in Africa following the club’s recent visit to Tanzania.
The club’s Head of International Football Development, Graham Robinson, met with Tanzanian Premier League side, Stand United and their head coach, Patrick Liewig, to discuss youth development.
Patrick, who previously worked as Paris Saint-Germain F.C.’s Academy Manager, working with the club’s U16’s, U21’s and reserve team, spoke with Graham about how working together with the two clubs can help develop the talent of home-grown players from across the various mining sites, which works well with the club’s football partnership with Acacia Mining.
The football partnership with Acacia sees The Black Cats working with local schools and football clubs in the Kahama and Tarime districts of North West Tanzania, delivering Acacia’s Maendeleo Fund dedicated CSR programmes.
As part of the partnership, Sunderland has been working with a number of different amateur football clubs in recent weeks to participate in a unique competition that will see representatives from one of the clubs visit Sunderland and partake in a week-long knowledge sharing tour.
Graham said: “It was great to meet Patrick and hear more about his philosophy at Stand United, he has a great pedigree in nurturing young talent and for Sunderland to be able to help develop that through its partnership with Acacia will hopefully see a new era in football in Tanzania.
“They are looking at the development of satellite academies across the region as well as identifying players and coaches that would form part of these academies.
“It is all very exciting for everyone involved and sits perfectly with the support and guidance we are already offering amateur clubs as part of the club’s football partnership with Acacia.”
