- The clinic brought together two academies
- It was made possible by Liverpool sponsors Stanchart
- He was also promoting the 2023 Stanchart Marathon
Liverpool football legend, Luis Garcia conducted a football clinic in Nairobi, bringing together two football academies from the capital city, the Diamond Football Club and Acakoro Football Academy.
Garcia, who was part of the Liverpool squad that won the UEFA Champions League in 2005 in the famous 3-0 comeback against AC Milan is in the country courtesy of the club’s shirt sponsors StanChart bank.
The football clinic, organized annually by the sponsors, is to encourage and develop youth involvement in sports in the country. The football legend also mentored the teens and advised them on what it takes to be world beaters.
“It is important to nurture teens at young age and being able to encourage them to be global football stars. It is a technique that has been used all over the world to be able to bring forth the next superstars,” Garcia said, on the sidelines of the football clinic conducted at the Lenana School in Ngong.
Precious moment for the kids
It was a precious moment for the kids, some of who were not born when Garcia was strutting down the pitch but only got to hear of his stories from their coaches.
His presence and the way he mingled with them was an inspiration, as he encouraged them to work hard and try reach the same levels like he did years ago.
Diamond Football Club Director Sagar Lakhani weas excited at the prospect of his kids learning from one of the best.
Luis Garcia enjoys a kick about with the kids from Diamond and Acakoro Academies
“The football clinic will be able to assist the teens to realize their true football potential. By being guided by a renowned football star, they will be able to learn more about football and to how they can be global football stars,” Lakhani said.
This is the second time that Diamond have benefited from the Stanchart program, while for Acakoro, they were being involved for the first time.
Garcia was also in Nairobi as part promotion for this year’s Stanchart Marathon.
Keen on developing talent
Peter Gitau the Local Organizing Committee Chairman for the Marathon said; “As a bank, we are keen on developing football talent within our country and beyond. By conducting the football clinic with the amateur teams, we are enabling them to showcase their passion and uplift their dreams to be ensure they realize their true football potential.”
He added, “Our global partnership with Liverpool Football Club also showcases the appreciation we have for football. Through this, we are able to encourage the next generation of football players who will be global stars in the near future. By bringing to them a football legend who has played in the biggest leagues in the world, is a testament of the belief we have in the next generation of players.”
Standard Chartered Bank has been a key contributor to the sporting fraternity and has been organizing the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon for the past 20 years.
Garcia however says he doesn’t think he can run a full marathon, but reckoned he could hack a 10km run.
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