C'mon say thanks to earl evleth !
Pele launches search for African football talent
AFP
April 18, 2007
DOHA (AFP) - Qatar's Aspire Academy on Wednesday announced a wide-ranging
programme to identify and train top footballing talent from seven African
countries.
"Aspire Africa. Football Dreams" was unveiled at a ceremony in the Qatari
capital attended by legendary Brazilian star Pele.
Starting in late May, 6,000 staff will screen more than 500,000 boys born
in 1994 in seven different countries -- Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya,
Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa.
In the first phase, the best 50 players from each country, identified in
the selection process, will go for a week of trials in the capital city of
their respective nations.
The top three from each country will then go to the Aspire academy in Doha
for four weeks of trials and testing. Following a period of assessment and
discussions with the families, the most talented players will be enrolled
into the Academy.
Andreas Bleicher, Sports Director at Aspire Andreas Bleicher said: "This is
an incredible opportunity for talented young African boys to reach the
heights of international football in the future.
"Everyone in football is aware of the significant talent that exists in
Africa, and also of the challenges that can prevent this talent reaching its
full potential."
The state-of-the-art Aspire Academy is the largest indoor sports arena in
the world. Its main aim is to identify, educate and train talented athletes
to compete in professional sports at the highest levels.
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