Airtel Nigeria fishes rising stars in Africa

Nigerien Team, celebrating their victory as 2013 champions.

When leading telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria, came up with the ingenious idea of the ARS African Championship, not many would have envisioned the positive impact the tournament would have not only on African football but on strengthening ties, friendship and unity among the youths from the participating countries. ADEBAYO DAWODU writes that the recently concluded Championships held in Lagos, clearly signifies the potentials of tournament as a platform for promoting African unity and the hope for future African’s National teams.

Much more than medals and trophies were at stake for the 484 male and female footballers from 16 African countries who took part in the second Airtel Rising Stars Africa U-17 championship held in Lagos, Nigeria. For many of them, the competition provided tourism, music, friendship and adventure. Many also wanted so much to satisfy the yearnings to see the beautiful Nigeria they had envisioned through Nollywood and the works of her various musical artistes.

The players were drawn from Burkina Faso, Congo Brazzaville, Congo DRC, Gabon, Ghana, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Kenya, Tchad, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda. The youngsters ignored the boundaries created by language and geography as they displayed their skills and completely broke down barriers of borders and language.

In his opening speech at the Agege Township Stadium, Lagos, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, explained that ARS has provided thousands of youngsters across Africa the opportunity to exhibit their talents and crystallize the hopes of becoming future players for their respective countries.

He particularly emphasised that the championship promotes African unity with the gathering of youths across Africa, coming together to take part in the competition.

Indeed, the championship has become a reference point in youths and sports development across the African continent and it has also been predicted that it will become the benchmark for future youth tournaments in Africa.

About 75,000 boys and girls registered to participate in this year’s Airtel Rising Stars national tournament in Nigeria alone. Entries were similarly huge across the other 16 countries. Seychelles had its first national tournament in 2013 but did not send a team to the African championship. Media interest was similarly high, with DSTV and Super Sport transmitting the semi-final and final matches for both male and female categories to all of Africa and beyond.

The 2013 ARS championship provided Nigeria the opportunity to host about 600 teenagers who made up the teams as well as other officials attached to each team including the coaches, technical advisers and team chaperons.

The week-long competition enabled the teams to mingle with one another, learn about other cultures and particularly experience the sights and sound of Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria.

It was a terrifying experience for most of the players who were flying for the first time. Narrating tales of their journey to Lagos from Democratic Republic of Congo, captain of the male team, Valao Empele, said, "We were afraid as we were flying in the air, but later we adjusted to the new experience. We have heard so much about Nigeria and so we could not wait to be here when we got to know that the 2013 ARS tournament would take place in Lagos. "

The players were quartered in the halls of residence in the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Yaba, and living together provided them the opportunity to relate and bond with one another after the activities of each day.

Wisdom Uforo, a member of the Nigerian U-17 male team, said the accommodation gave them the opportunity to interact with the other players. "Whenever we got back to the hostel after every match each day, whether we lost or won, we found it easy to relate with players from other countries. They asked us questions about Nigeria and likewise, we asked them about their countries too.

"I noticed that most of them have Nigerian songs on their phone and they amused us with tales about their love for Nigerian films and artistes. They said they loved to meet some of the musicians and actors. Especially the ones from the West African countries they are very interested in Nigerian films and music. We also asked them to teach us their language. It was fun and part of sportsmanship," he said. Uforo also added that some of the players loved the local Nigerian staples such as Melon (Egusi), Fufu and Yam Porridge.

A female Tanzanian player who eventually won the Highest Goal Scorer in the tournament, Shelda Boniface, said, "Being in this country for the first time is an experience that will linger in our memories for a long time. Apart from coming here to compete, we are also here to learn more about other African cultures and people. That is what a competition like this exposes players to. It is a good thing that Airtel is giving this opportunity to youths in Africa to blend. Right from the hostels to the pitch we relate with one another despite the healthy rivalry."

Defending champions Niger emerged victorious in the male category, they retained the crown they won in the first edition held in Nairobi, Kenya last year. They came into the competition and went about business with so much effectiveness and focus as they dispatched teams one after another. They won all their group matches, scoring a total of 12 goals and conceding just three goals in six matches.

Some players in the Nigerien team expressed their delight at participating in ARS competition saying that Niger and Nigeria "are like one because of the proximity."

Adebayon Adje disclosed that his father is actually a Nigerian and his mother a Nigerien. "I cannot actually say the part of Nigeria where exactly my father came from, but I know he is a Nigerian married to my mother. I have lived in Niger all my life. I like Nigerians and it is indeed a privilege for me to be here in Nigeria. I wish we could stay longer so as to know more about this country and see many places in the beautiful country," Adebayon said.

The surprise team of the tournament was Tanzania who clinched the first place trophy in the female category at the expense of Kenya. Alone strike from Donisia Daniel was all the Tanzanians needed to emerge winners and end their 20-year trophy draught in any international competition.

The Tanzanians had come into the competition as underdogs in a group that paired them with Sierra Leone, Malawi and Uganda. They however shocked bookmakers with their dramatic performance in the group opener when they defeated Sierra Leone 2-1. As the matches progressed, they lost 0-1 to Uganda and drew with Malawi. In the quarter-finals stage, they defeated DRC 4-2 and then mauled Uganda 8-1 to get into the finals.

The Nigerian teams were gallant in their respective semi-final defeats and they recovered to clinch the bronze medals for their effort. Both the male and female teams defeated their counterparts from Tanzania 2-0 and Uganda 4-1 respectively in the third place matches.

The love some of the foreign players have for Nigeria music could hardly go unnoticed at the venues where the matches were played.

The Lagos tournament featured 58 matches packed with exciting soccer actions, thrills and entertainment. The teams competed at four venues; Onikan Stadium on Lagos Island, National Institute for Sports pitch and Legacy Pitch, both at the National Stadium, Surulere and the Agege Township Stadium.

Music was regular spice at all the venues to the delight of the players. Both male and female players danced to the music played by the DJs at the various venues. From across Africa, the players were very familiar with the songs and artistes so they sang along and moved to the rhythm. Songs such as Terry G’s ‘Kona’, which is a remix of a South African song, thrilled the players. On some occasions, the supporters of the teams sang their local songs and displayed their dance steps to motivate the players.

Winding his waist, graceful switch from one dance step to the other with a wide grin, 15 year old Zambian, Shadrick Kambwili was equal to the task of gyrating. A first-timer in Nigeria, he felt very much at home and confessed that he was dancing for his team.

It was also not a particularly difficult task for Anglophone players to relate with their French-speaking counterparts as most of them were bilingual. After matches the players, in the spirit of fair play exchanged jerseys and tracksuits. Many of them exchanged phone numbers, Facebook contacts and emails in order to remain in touch.

At the semi-final stage when most of the teams were out of the tournament, majority of the boys and girls had time to watch other countries play, dance and interact with other players extensively.

For some players whose teams crashed out of the tournament after the group stage, it was an opportunity to savour the full glory of Lagos. Teams like the male DR Congo team, who suffered three straight losses in the group stage, spend the rest of the days before the finals to tour the city of Lagos and meet players from other African countries.

Kabaka Mbotama, the coach of DRC confessed that it was not all about being in Nigeria to win the tournament but the visit also offered them to see Lagos. "It is a beautiful and warm city, and we enjoyed our stay. We are happy to have been in Nigeria for the competition."

For the Rwandan male team, who suffered a similar fate in the competition like their DRC counterparts, they used the remaining days of the competition to watch other teams and learn how to improve on their skills. They also went on a sight-seeing tour of Lagos.

As if their stay could be elongated, some of the players were already getting used to the Nigerian weather, music and food towards the last days of the competition. Their ease and familiarity with their surroundings could be seen by the way they moved about and patronised the local traders at the respective venues.

However, some members of the Kenyan female team confessed to missing the traditional fresh cow milk local delicacy. 16 year old midfielder, Mary Wanjiru says she’s been consuming powdered milk which she isn’t used to. "May be that is why we are a bit weak she quickly added. Again, you like a lot of spices in your food," she claimed.

Wanjiru also revealed that she had a frightening flying experience while travelling to Nigeria for the tournament. "I have never travelled by air before. That was my first time and it was very frightening for me. I was afraid all through because that was my first time of travelling by plane," she said.

The student of Olympic High School, Nairobi and her teammate, Lucy Awino, however confessed they’re in love with Nigeria and Nollywood movies, saying they will not hesitate to return to the West African nation if given another opportunity as they will surely miss their new found friends in Lagos.

The high point for the teenagers was when multiple award-winning hip-hop artiste Tuface Idibia, set the Agege Township Stadium ablaze with hits from his impressive repertoire of music. The crowd sang along with him each song he rendered at the final ceremony. This again confirmed the appeal of Nigerian music and artistes across the continent.

The Lagos State government also showed support for the tournament which is dubbed the ‘Biggest grassroots youth football tournament in Africa". Just before the competition officially commenced, the State Commissioner of Sports, Barrister Wahid Enitan-Oshodi pledged the support of the state government. He said that, "the Championship is an international event and we are committed to it. Airtel is an international brand, a good corporate citizen with strong governance structure and we are always there to provide the needed support for the international event."

Participating countries, coaches and players had good words for the host country, Nigeria. Zambian Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Capt. Seleman Banda Phangula said, "The organisation of the event was excellent in every way. Airtel is really commended for this beautiful and praiseworthy initiative. The idea of encouraging football in Africa is good. They have been raising the standard of African football and bridging the gap in African football"

Dr Ogwel Benard Patrick, Vice President, Youth Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) also praised Airtel Nigeria for the quality of players, level of discipline and impressive organisation of this year’s tournament, saying that the it was very competitive and has set a benchmark for future tournaments.

Dr Patrick, who accompanied the Uganda male and female teams, said, "I was in Nairobi, Kenya last year and I saw the entire competition, but this year Nigeria has set a commendable benchmark as regards ARS tournament. Therefore, all African teams that are sleeping are roused from their slumber. They can see the level of skills and talents being developed through the Airtel Rising Stars so they have to wake up to the challenge in order to meet up with other African countries".

"You can see that ARS is raising best stars when it comes to African football in the U-17 category. The initiative has been motivating countries to produce quality players that will represent them. I want to commend Airtel for giving both the boys and girls this opportunity to participate," he said.

The 2013 ARS African tournament attracted high-ranking individuals not only in government circles in Nigeria but also from other African countries and beyond. Representatives of the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdulahi and the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina led the Federal Government delegation to declare the event open at the Agege Township Stadium.

Dignitaries who graced the opening ceremony include Director of Global Partnership and Business Strategy, Arsenal Football Club, Vinai Venkatesham; Director of Women Rehabilitation, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Mercy Daodu who represented Women Affairs Minister Hajia Zainab Maina; Big Brother Africa, The Chase, Nigerian Housemates, Beverly Osu and Melvin Oduah; Commissioner of Youth & Sports, Osun State, Steven Kola Balogun; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs Nike Animashaun were some of the From other African countries came delegations, ambassadors and Presidents of Football Associations.

Arsenal legend and former France International Robert Pires led the Arsenal delegation to the U-17 African Championship, giving it additional prominence.