David GOMBE
European Scouts from Belgium and Croatia are in Uganda hunting for young Ugandan talents under the age of 17 at the three day organized Somewhere in Africa Talent search tournament in Lugogo.
Over 250 players from various academies attended the U-17 tournament organized by Hon. Kayemba Solo’s Somewhere in Africa Sports Agency company at the MTN Omondi Stadium.
The three day tournament will climax on Friday attracted European based scouts from Belgium sides Genk and Royal Antwerp Football Club as well as Croatia side NK Lokomotiva Zagreb.
The Scouts include Cameroonian born Mathias Dellgoue Chago de Confiance, Bennard Kumordzi and Kennedy.
“I am happy to come to Uganda and see these young talents. We have made observations and these young lads have potential and quality but they need to be guided about some football aspects .” If the players don’t have the right training that will hinder their performances in future.” Said Chago
Chago is a Cameroonian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Throughout his career, Chago played for Olympic Mvolyé, Racing FC Bafoussam, NK Metalac, Dinamo Zagreb and Lokomotiva and was once capped for the Cameroon at the international level in a friendly match again Ivory Coast in June 2009. As of January 2006, Chago became a Croatian citizen.
Hon. Kayemba Solo, a players’ agent and also serves as the Shadow Minister for Sports asserted that five players have been identified and promised that this talent search will be done annually.
“I am happy that my colleagues from Europe have come to witness some of our young talents.” They have identified five players and these will be projects for these guys at a young age. We are starting the dream of these players now.” We shall have this talent annually. We want to have players in the top five European leagues in years to come so that’s why we are having this project.” Said the legislator.
Former Uganda Cranes left back Godfrey Walusimbi believes this is a great opportunity for young players to attain that European dream
“This is a rare opportunity for a young player to get that European dream, this is the time for these young lads to showcase their abilities. They have that potential but like the scouts have stated they need to improve more on their game intelligence if they are to achieve their goals.”
Academies such as Proline Soccer Academy, Rays of Grace Academy, KCCA FC, URA FC soccer academy, Ebenezer soccer academy and Kyadondo Soccer Academy all had teams in the talent search tournament.
