Tanzania and Burundi academies enter into agreement to jointly boost international soccer in East Africa

Two Youth Sports Training academies in Tanzania and Burundi have entered into special agreements for future cooperation and exchange programs in mostly soccer events.

The Didier Drogba academy of Bujumbura, Burundi has just signed a two-year agreement with the Arusha-based Future Stars Sports Academy in Tanzania for strengthening football development among the East African Community Member states.

“We are all working to ensure that young and aspiring footballers in East Africa realize their dreams of becoming international soccer starts in sync with carrying the region’s sporting flag high,” explained the Director of Future Stars Academy (FSA), Alfred Itaeli.

According to Itaeli, the two institutions deal mostly with youngsters aged from 4 years all the way to the under-20 players in soccer.

The FSA of Arusha usually organizes the annual East African Youth Soccer Tournament known as ‘Chipkizi Cup.’

On his part the leader of Didier Drogba Academy, Nshimirimana Djuma said his Academy has always wanted to cooperate with the Future Stars and that effective from July they will start bringing players in Tanzania.

“In fact, last year we even wanted to participate in the ‘Chipkizi Cup 2023,’ in Arusha but somehow the invitation came a little bit late and didn’t have enough time for preparations especially where transport logistics were concerned,” said Djuma.

However, according to Djuma, this year, the Didier Drogba academy plans to bring to Arusha four youth soccer teams in several categories, including the 6 to 9 years; 10 to 13 years; 14 to 16 years and 17 to 18 years.

For starters it will be an exchange program in mid-2024 then later on they will be joining other teams from East Africa and the rest of the world for the ultimate Chipkizi Cup coming up in Arusha next December.

The Burundi academy which sailed in 2017 happens to be named after Drogba, the Ivory Coast striker who played for Chelsea and its officials believe that their candidates will also be playing in international venues.

“The government of Burundi is very supportive,” added the Drogba academy leader. The institution currently has 145 young soccer students.