Wednesday 28th April was a good day. Thanks to a chance meeting with one of the directors of Alive and Kicking, we had managed to set up a coaching session with two visiting coaches from Arsenal Football Club’s community coaching program.
By way of introducing the coaches, Andy and William, to Kibera Mpira Mtaani, we first took them to the KMM office in Katwekera village, Kibera. The Chairman, Vincent Kegode, told the visitors about their resource centre, library and after-school tuition program before we headed up to the top floor to meet a group of the young children who use the centre to study and enjoy activities there during the school holidays. The guys took time to chat with the children and even found one wearing an Arsenal football shirt.
Having made new friends, it was time to walk to the venue for the coaching session. Many of the children from the resource centre decided to join us for the walk and there was a rush to see who could hold hands with the coaches and their friends who had accompanied them for the visit. As we made our way to the Olympic Christian Centre, the group seemed to grow as word got out that the coaches were from Arsenal and more children joined us.
Football drills after warm-up
Waiting on the pitch were around 50 children ready to play football. After dividing the group into two, each coach starting work on warm-up exercises and drills. These involved games as well as practising passing, heading the ball and shooting. Once everyone was really warmed up and had practised their skills, it was time to come together again….to be divided into three teams. These teams were named Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Arsenal and Manchester United were the first teams to play. With about 16 players on each side there was no shortage of action and with William as referee the two teams played until one scored a goal. The trailing team then rested while Chelsea came on and played until the next goal had been scored. This continued for some time with teams rotating as goals were scored. Arsenal seemed to be the ones who stayed on the pitch the most but Chelsea, the team from KMM’s library, scored two goals towards the end so went away happy.
Vincent presents a reminder of the day
After a short interview with the local newspaper “The Kibera Journal”, it was time for Vincent to say thanks to the coaches for a great session. As a reminder of the day, the committee of Kibera Mpira Mtaani presented William and Andy with a ball made from plastic bags and string – commonly used by children in Kibera to play football. It is hoped that the ball will make its way all the way to Emirates Stadium and have a photograph taken and sent back to Kibera Mpira Mtaani…we’ll be sure to post the photograph here if that happens.
I asked Andy what he thought of the skills he had seen in these under 12 players. He told me “The skills are good. But what’s great is the kids really enjoyed it and had smiles on their faces. That’s what football is all about”.
There was just time for a quick visit to the local radio station, PamojaFM, for a live interview on air before it was time for the visitors to leave Kibera. We hope they left knowing that they had made a memorable day for the children who took part and that we appreciate them taking the time to learn about the work of Kibera Mpira Mtaani.
Check out The Gallery for photos from this great day.