Ghana football star player Sulleyman Muntari’s philanthropic heart was manifested when he bought football boots for young players from a local Ugandan football academy, Super Heroes from Mulago.
Muntari had visited Uganda alongside United Nations (UN) advocate for the youth, Keisuke Honda from Japan.
The two stars who dressed casually were on opponents on the day.
Muntari played for Mulago based Super Heroes as Honda played for Kamwokya based Royal Arms in a 10 minute per half game.
Supers Heroes won the game 1-0 courtesy of a first half strike by Abdul Nsereko, a 13 year student at Gadaffi Intergrated school in Kampala.
After the activation tournament organized by the United Nations Foundation at the barren and dusty Kamwokya play ground (Kataka) on Saturday, Muntari who had promised each member on his side a playing boot fulfilled with a $400 donation.
It has been nice to play with the young players in Uganda on such a field. It is exactly where I started from when I was young in Ghana.
Being on the winning side is great. Like I promised before the game, each player on my side will be given boots as a motivation.
Football is about commitment.
I am happy that I have been on the winning side.
These young children have to grow up with the culture of working hard, sacrificing so many things and still, carrying on with their education.
Who knows, we can have the future F.A President here?
The excited children and parents around then posed for photographs with the two stars, many presented T-Shirts and balls for autographs.
One of the players on the winning team, Abdul Ssenyendo, 15, an S.3 student at Gadaffi Integrated Secondary school in Kampala saluted the spirit of Muntari and Honda throughout the match;
An excited Ssenyendo, also the team captain revealed to Kawowo Sports that they were happy to share the same playing field with the super stars of the game;
We are so lucky to have played with players like Sulley Muntari and Keisuke Honda. They were encouraging us throughout the match.
For Muntari to give us boots, it will motivate us to work hard and be like them in future
Honda also promised to partner with a professional football club in Uganda and establish a state of art soccer school for young players in a way of developing the game from the grassroots.
“It is great to play with such youngsters. They will grow up admiring the game as they work hard to succeed,” a smiling Honda told local and international media after the game.
Francisco Bwambale of Rifo Sports Academy, who was part of the organizing team appreciated the two football stars for the unique visit to East Africa in particular Uganda.
We are so privileged to have the legends of football Sulley Muntari and Honda around. The football games played have gone well on the day.
The stars’ involvement themselves proves they are part of the big project of seeing stars coming out of Kamwokya and Uganda as a whole. It is a big inspirational story to tell
The United Nations Foundation in conjunction with Kamwokya football community organized mini tournament.
The two stars returned to their respective countries on Sunday.
Super Heroes players who played alongside Muntari:
Abdul Ssengendo (Captain, 15 years), Elvis Munguriek (13 years), Aziz Bogere (14 years), Christopher Ssempebwa (15 years), Pius Wasswa (15 years), Elias Kasamba (14 years), Alex Sseruwo (13 years), Denis Twayaha (16 years), Abdul Nsereko (13 years), Baker Musharafu (14 years), Ibrahim Mawanda (15 years), Ashraf Ssenyonga (16 years)
Head coach: Dennis Twine
UN activation mini tournament:
Final:
- Super Heroes Academy 1-0 Royal Arms Academy
Semifinals:
- Super Heroes Academy 1-0 Pine Soccer Academy
- Royal Arms Soccer 1-0 Excel Soccer Academy
