Tanzania will be sending a total of 15 young footballers who excel from the ongoing East Africa Youth Soccer Tourney taking place in Arusha this December, to play in Spain during the year 2025.
They are to form a new international soccer squad from Tanzania called Chipkizi First 15.
The Future Stars Academy of Arusha, which is organizing the Chipkizi Cup 2024 has entered into mutual agreement with the International Sports Management Company, New Hera Interconnection to that effect.
“All the top performing young footballers aged 17 years and under, including best scorer, most disciplined fielders and outstanding players, stand to win the chance to be taken to play in Europe in the course of 2025,” said Alfred Itaeli, the Director of Future Stars Sports Academy.
More than 320 youth soccer teams from Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Zanzibar and the host Tanzania are participating in the Chipkizi Cup tourney here.
On the other hand, the ‘New Hera Interconnection,’ a Sports Management company that stands at the forefront in shaping the future of African sports by embodying the motto of building sports bridges of opportunities is also around to pick the 15 best talents from the event.
New Hera Interconnection offers all kinds of sports services and solutions for African Athletes, Soccer Clubs, Schools, Academies, Federations, and any sports agent that aims to reach the highest standards in sports development.
The Director of Future Stars Academy (FSA) adds that Frederic Kanoute the veteran professional footballer from Mali will also be jetting into Arusha to recruit even more young players for his academy.
The Malian ace footballer apparently has already established his own sports academy in his country and wants to get new soccer candidates from Tanzania and other parts of East Africa.
He wants to prepare the young footballers to play in big European Clubs.
The young footballers participating in the 15th installment of the annual East African Chipkizi Cup in Arusha are placed under various age denominating categories including Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, under- 15, under- 17 and Under-20.
The Chairperson of Arusha Regional Football Association (ARFA) Zakayo Mjema who officially flagged off the Chipkizi Cup said the East African Soccer tourney during its 15 years tenure has produced more than 22 young footballers currently playing in National youth teams in the CECAFA region.
“Other talents identified from Chipkizi Cup are playing in various teams abroad especially Europe,” added Mjema.
The prestigious tournament features, among other sporting events, football, basketball, and swimming competitions.
The games are being staged at a number of sports arenas in the city, including UWC, Agha-Khan, Saint Constantine, Tanganyika Game Trackers (TGT) grounds, and Braeburn International.