A Non Profitable Football Academy in Migori is assisting talented but bright children from poor families to access secondary education.
Dennis Otondi the Coach and Sponsor of the Awendo Academy said that many youths have benefited from the scheme through secondary school scholarships that come because of their footballing talent.
Otondi noted that more than 300 students have benefited from the academy and currently more than 50 students were under scholarships across various high schools in Nyanza, North Rift and Western Region.
He disclosed that the best performing schools in the country have been absorbing some of the youths from the football academy giving them hope to access high school education as well as promoting their football talents.
The Academy which started in 2009 has been nurturing, training and providing education opportunities both to primary and secondary students in the Sugar belt county.
“Many students that I have trained here have ended up at various high schools in western, North Rift and Nyanza. The schools have helped us to educate these needy and talented students as well as giving them a platform to showcase their footballing talents, noted Otondi
Otondi said that he usually does scouting and talks to various principals across the country to help give scholarships to the bright and needy but talented youths from the academy.
He acknowledged that he decided to start the academy to help the less privileged and bright children access better education through football talents.
The official added that many youths in the sugar belt region were facing challenges of school fees, drug addiction and HIV and Aids new infection.
Otondi said that the academy aims to instill good virtues and ensure that the future generation is well protected.
He said that majority of the players who were sponsored by various schools are now in various universities and playing for premier league teams like Ulinzi FC, Tusker and Gor Mahia. Others were showcasing their talents at Kariobangi Sharks and Tanzania Prisons FC.
“Players like Timothy Odhiambo and Ben Bico for Ulinzi FC, Bonface Onyango, David Odoyo and Brian Oyande for Tusker FC and Samuel Onyango for Gor Mahia are some of the players that came from Awendo Football Academic”, noted Otondi.
He urged the local community not to be negative about the project because the aim is to help youths from less privileged families access the best secondary school education through their footballing talents.
Otondi also called upon well wish to come on board and assist the academy with footballing equipment to help improve the lives of the talented youths.
He asked the FKF and grassroots football organizers to ensure that academies that field players to junior level clubs benefit from equipment to help nurture more players.