Vodafone supports Right to Dream Soccer Academy

Vodafone Ghana and the Right to Dream Academy have signed a three-year GHC 150 million sponsorship agreement to provide elite training and professional football skill development to underprivileged Ghanaian children across the country.

At an impressive launch of the Right to Dream Academy at Akrade in the Eastern Region, Ms Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Youth and Sports was excited not only about the opportunities that such an Academy brings to developing the natural talents of deprived children, but also giving them a hope of education.

She said youth sports development has been viewed by many as the very means of advancing life opportunities not only in Ghana, but the world at the large, “and we as a nation are certain to be part of this.”

“For many of us it is refreshing to see this edifice put up by Right to Dream and as you are aware sports especially football is a passion of Ghanaians and the Ministry of Youth and Sports will welcome any initiative that seeks to champion the cause of sports development in Ghana.”

The Right to Dream Academy is a not for profit organization, was established 10 years ago to offer disadvantaged children the opportunity to develop their sports talents while striving for academic excellence.

Under the project, these underprivileged children are offered five-year scholarships at 11 years of age and given the rare opportunity to rise to sports stardom and academic excellence.

Ms Dansua said her Ministry was most pleased with the fact that, “the Academy is not just for sports development, but a combination of sports and education. In Ghana and until recently, majority of our sports men and women have not had the opportunity to advance to an appreciable level in education and this cost them dearly.

“It is about time this development is reversed and it is for this reason that the Ministry commends Vodafone Ghana for partnering Right To Dream to develop young sportsmen and women who will also be academically endowed.”

Paul Ryan, External Affairs Director of Vodafone Ghana said Vodafone was inspired by the Right to Dream Academy's vision and unique project, “hence the decision to be involved with this project.”

“When Tom Vernon, the founder of the Academy came over to us, we paid attention as he talked about their plans to give hope and a future. But we are inspired by the sheer audacity of hope that the academy offered by these young ones,” adding that, “the academy's work tells our young people that it is alright to think of being the next Abedi Pele, Michael Essien, Ronaldo, Drogba or Messi”

Tom Vernon, the founder of the Academy said that the Academy has about 40 children now with a large number of students have gone on to receive full scholarships in the US and Europe including King Osei Gyan who made his debut for the Black Stars at just 19-years of age and have already been able to pursue their football careers at a professional level. Others are plying professional trade n Ghana and in UK.