Arsenal among us
A mini version of the giant British football club is now in Egypt. Nashwa Abdel-Tawab sees what it will do and how it can help
Click to view caption |
Wadi Degla youngsters, under the tutelage of Nasef, right, emulate their British counterparts
|
A new club in Egypt, Wadi Degla in Maadi, is just one of dozens of such institutions throughout the country. But Wadi Degla's soccer school is unique in that it has been set up jointly by the famed Arsenal football squad of England.
The fusion of the Arsenal cannon and the Dorcas gazelle of Wadi Degla translates into the first soccer school of its kind in the Arab world after similar projects in Cyprus, South Africa, Thailand, Bosnia, the Ukraine and Nigeria.
A total of 128 players, among them two girls, have so far enrolled in the 37-feddan Wadi Degla with high hopes of being world class players or if not, to at least enjoy the game. Fees are LE4,000 a year. Children from the ages of six to 13 train four times a week, with one month off -- May -- because of exams.
All players were first taken to the Olympic Centre in Maadi for complete medical check-ups.
"We should be professional when dealing with kids," said Zakareya Nasef, a former Ahli and national team player and manager of the school. "Let's put all our investment in our kids. It's the spirit of sports. Having annual fees for a soccer school might sound weird but the parents will be committed as we are and will unite with our goals. We want to form a new well-bred, cultured generation of footballers."
Entering a five-aside pitch surrounded by fair-play banners, Wadi Degla sets the mood for serious training from the start. After two hours of soccer techniques, the players go swimming, then have lunch and attend sessions on the rules of soccer, the fair play codes of honour, and read Arsenal- published books on the game. They are also tutored in several slogans: play to win; play fair; observe the rules of the game; denounce those who attempt to discredit our sport; accept defeat with dignity; honour those who defend football's reputation.
They improve their English-language and mathematical skills through soccer-related subjects. They watch matches together, search the web for soccer news and browse through a mini-library full of soccer magazines.
The school targets la creme de la creme of Egyptian families. But both clubs are one in their philosophies -- the protocol between them demands taking the Arsenal experience to underprivileged children.
"We'll do an after-hour programme in some schools with less fees, then in youth centres, streets and towns, to widen the development of talent and give all a world-class soccer education," said Maged Sami, vice president of the club. "We can inspire people and make them play sports."
The Arsenal school is 18 years old, making it the oldest programme in England, one which it says is committed to offering sporting and educational projects where the name of Arsenal -- the giant Premiership team were winners of this year's FA Cup -- can make a special impact on groups and individuals on a local, regional and international scale.
The programme aims to use football as a motivating factor for children to gain team spirit, health, nutrition and improving proficiency in numerical and language skills.
"I think it's a successful partnership for the good of the game. I feel home here," said Alan Sefton, Arsenal manager for soccer schools and supporting community football.
"Unfortunately there are too many things that are bad for our kids. So we want to give them a good future," added Sefton, who is responsible for a course for assistant trainers in Egypt. "The combination of football coaching, skills of the game, including passing, heading, turning and running with the ball, with fair play theoretical sessions, football laws, mathematical and self-development skills will be their gateway to a better future.
"We're not here on a whim. We're here to show that sports is not only educational and enjoyable but also very important in the community. It can make a difference."
For a week, Sefton held a training course for 13 assistant coaches. "No doubt you've got great coaches who are skilled at playing football and we saw how they work. They relate to the children. They have been really first class. I hope they'll do a good job in teaching soccer skills in the right way."
Among the coaches was one woman, Mariam Samir, 23. Samir, a graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts, played soccer for three years in Maadi Club. "I used to train when I was a kid and sometimes it was a burden but now even the warm-ups are different, enjoyable. Everything serious is done in disguise," Samir added.
Rami Shaaban, Egypt's substitute goalkeeper at Arsenal, visited Wadi Degla and had this piece of advice for the children: "train a lot, concentrate and be patient. Remember, it will pay off later."
Nasef asks parents and kids to wait for the fruits to grow. "Time is important when teaching kids from scratch to be players. They can't do it at once."
Ashley Cole, England's international, is a product of the Arsenal system and testimony that the school can produce world class players.
"We'll participate in the under-15 Arsenal competitions in 2005 plus international events in Egypt in addition to hosting African teams to get us used to playing against them. Summer camps will help our players get used to pro life, independence and self- confidence," Nasef said.
Over 160 teams from Africa, the US, and Europe participate in the annual Arsenal competition for soccer schools. "The kids mix with other kids playing soccer and that is important," he added.
Are Arsenal or Wadi Degla looking to sell players in the market? "No, we're not interested in one or two players but thousands," Sefton said. "It's our philosophy. We want it everywhere in Cairo, in the right way and the right atmosphere. We talk about a community programme in England that aims at spreading the good side of football worldwide. We might be slow but we're committed to our philosophy, assistance and vision."
