Arsenal among us

Sporting clubs in Egypt are nothing but the norm -- found in every district of the country and offering every possible kind of sport. This year, however, something new sprouted up -- the Wadi Degla Club in the Cairene suburb of Maadi. The club's soccer school is affiliated with England's famed Arsenal football squad.

While similar projects have already been implemented in Cyprus, South Africa, Thailand, Bosnia, Ukraine and Nigeria, 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.

In the few months since its launch, the nation's passion for football has quickly made itself apparent -- a total of 128 players, among them two girls, have enrolled so far. The hope, they openly share, is to grow up to become world-class players. And if not, at the very least improve their skills while enjoying the game.

While the process of training is definitely expected to be fun, the school is a no-nonsense affair. Open to children ages six to 13, the school runs 11 months of the year, with May (exam month) being the youngster's sole break. All children enrolled in the LE4,000 a year school must first undergo a medical check-up at the Olympic Centre in Maadi.

"We have to be professional about dealing with the kids," Zakareya Nasef, manager of the school and a former Ahli and national team player, tells Al-Ahram Weekly. "We must invest all we have into our children. Having annual fees for a soccer school might sound odd, but it means that the parents will be as committed as we are, and so we will be able to unite with our goals. We want to form a new well-bred, cultured generation of footballers -- that takes both commitment and the right spirit."

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, have lunch, then attend sessions on the rules of soccer, the fair play codes of honour, and study 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. There is also the added bonus of improving 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.

Given its fees, the school is far from all- inclusive -- only those with the financial means can afford to join. But for both Wadi Degla and Arsenal, taking the opportunity of world-class training to the average Egyptian is a priority.

"We'll do an after-hours programme in some schools with less fees, then in youth centres, streets and towns, to widen the development of talent and give all Egyptians a world-class soccer education," Maged Sami, vice president of the club, told the Weekly. "We can inspire people and make them play sports."

Historically rooted in England with its 18 year past, Arsenal School is renowned for its commitment to providing sporting and educational opportunities to youth around the world. With its sound reputation and popular name, the Arsenal reach and scope is wide.

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. In Egypt -- a country in which football is the national sport -- the prospects are promising.

"I think it's a successful partnership for the good of the game. I feel at home here," Alan Sefton, Arsenal manager for soccer schools and supporting community football, told the Weekly. "Unfortunately, in today's world there are too many things that are bad for our kids. So we want to give them a good future," he added. "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," Sefton explained. "We're here to show that sport is not only educational and enjoyable but also very important in the community. It can make a difference."

Sefton's role is multi-faceted -- also prioritising the training of local assistant trainers in Egypt.

"No doubt you've got great coaches who are skilled at playing football and at the last course we saw how they work. They relate to the children and are really first class. We want to make sure they are given the right tools and techniques to enable them to teach football skills in the right way.