United launches 'Pass it on' in Kenya
by Fred Maingi 07 February 2012, 13:50
A campaign to promote and create awareness of English Premier League
giants Manchester United in the country was launched in Nairobi
on Tuesday morning
The 'Pass It On' campaign also aims to raise Ksh5million that will be
used to fund the Gender Violence Recovery Center at the Kenyatta
National Hospital in Nairobi.
Several local activities have been put in place to help raise the
funds and create the awareness and among them is a five aside football
tournament to be staged on wednesday at the Nyayo National
stadium in Nairobi.
About 192 children from all walks of life and 48 high school coaches
will have an opportunity to be trained by some of the top most United
coaches at the weekend at the Kenya Monetary Studies grounds along
Thika Road.
“The Pass It On' campaign is a joint initiative between Manchester
United and their sponsors AON with an aim of giving back to the
community.
Kenya is among the thousands of destinations chosen by the
Caravan that commenced from Cape Town and will end in London to
celebrate 25th Anniversary of AON's existence,”said Joe Onsando,who is
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of AON Kenya Insurance Broker.
“The coaches from Manchester United will help impart values apart
from teaching the kids Manchester way of football,the initiative is
designed to engage colleagues, clients and communities in an epic
soccer journey.”
“The campaign has incorporated a youth development initiative in
partnership with Manchester United Soccer Schools(Muss) which will
involve local soccer coaches and children in a skills drills program,
ensuring that the training and skills imparted can be taken back and
implemented at the schools by the coaches,”added Onsango.
Over the next three days, the Manchester coaches will spend time with the
children showing them soccer skills,healthy food choices, healthy mind
choices, right attitude, videos and clips, dynamics of teamwork among
others.
Parents will also be advised on how to motivate their kids into
football and how to mould them into confident adult leaders.
Kenya is among the countries that falls under the Cape to Cairo route
in an eight-month programme that began on October 24 in three
Cities:Hobart(Australia),Cape Town(South Africa) and Punta
Arenas(Chile).The caravan will travel about 154,000 Kms in nine months
before reaching London for the AON celebrations.
The campaign was officially launched on October 23 last year at Old
Trafford at half time of the derby between Manchester United and
Manchester City by Manchester legends Denis Irwin,Bryan Robson and
Gary Pallister.