It is barely a year since retired Spanish football ace, Luis Garcia last played a competitive football match for Indian premier side Atletico Kolkata F.C.
The 37 year old boldly confesses, he is missing active involvement in the ‘beautiful game’.
The former Barcelona, Real Valladolid, Athletico Madrid, Liverpool and lately Atletico Kolkata player is in country for a visit as part of the preparatory plans to start a high performance football academy in Uganda, a project of the former Barcelona players targeted to help nurture talents from the grassroots.
Speaking during a press conference held at the Lake Hall in Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Garcia a former Spanish international between 2005 and 2008, was overwhelmed by the hospitality he was accorded as he set foot in the Pearl of Africa – Uganda.
Uganda is a good country. I retired to be with family but I must tell you, I miss the game. I am here to inspire the youngsters play football and realize their dreams in life. Football academies are intended to instill respect for teammates, coaches and teach football skills
Luis was flanked by another former Barcelona player, Rayco Garcia. The latter has already laid out plans to organize a football match between Uganda Cranes legends and Barcelona legends set for either the 4th or 5th December 2015.
Rayco Garcia (L) and Luis Garcia at the press conference
“The match is being planned as one of the means to raise proceeds that will be channeled to the establishment of the elite sports academy” Rayco noted.
He hinted on the steps already taken to engage the Ugandan government, NGO’s and other top companies to join the bandwagon.
The prime minister has already assured the academy land. We met with president Museveni and he is well aware of the objectives for a top class academy. We however call upon companies and several organizations to come in as partners.
Last month, another Barcelona and Netherlands legend Patrick Kluivert visited the country on the same mission in liaison with UNICEF.
Great Lakes Safaris CEO, Amos Wekesa and the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA) president, Ambrose Tashobya are two key personalities that lined up these Spanish former footballers after the group visited Tanzania last year where they played with the Tanzanian teams.
Luis Garcia Tit Bits:
Full Names:Luis Javier García Sanz
D.O.B: 24th June 24 1978.
Career Clubs: F.C Barcelona, Barcelona Team B, Real Valladolid, Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Atletico Kolkata
Total Club Goals: 107 goals in 431 club career appearances
National Team:Played for Spain between 2005 & 2008 (20 appearances and 4 goals)
Major victories: UEFA Champions League success (2005), FIFA Super Cup 2005, FA Cup (2006) and the FA Community Shield (2006).
Career Highlight: Winning the Champions league in 2005 with Liverpool against AC Milan
Best player played with: Ronaldihno Gaucho
Toughest player ever faced: John Terry
