Thursday, April 7, 2011
GRANBURY, Texas--Players and coaches taking part in the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl will hold coaching clinics for youth at the Tanzania Game Trackers (TGT) facility in the city of Arusha in Tanzania on May 19 and 20.
The coaching clinics will be held following team practices at TGT, which boasts 'the best grass in East Africa' from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both Thursday, May 19 and Friday, May 20 and will introduce local youngsters to the basics of American football. Global Football will organize the clinics in association with Tanzania Irie, which provides a free sport service to underprivileged youth by running camps, lessons and events with experienced coaches around Arusha.
On Saturday, May 21, the first game of college American football to be played in Africa will match Drake University from Iowa against the CONADEIP All Stars from Mexico at the 20,000-capacity Sheik Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium in Arusha at 1pm local time (US ET +7 hours). The historic and unique game will be broadcast live across the African continent and beamed to countries around the world by ITV (Independent Television Ltd), the largest private TV network in Tanzania.
The sport is a new concept to the people of Tanzania, so the Bulldogs and CONADEIP players and coaches will work on the simple fundamentals of passing, catching and running with a ball and will teach the key rules that are applied on the field of play.
"I have been a part of many clinics all around the world, but this one will be totally unique," said Global Football President and event organizer PATRICK STEENBERGE. "How wonderful to teach kids about a game they have never seen, anywhere, and to be able to provide them with a new sport to play themselves.
"I am proud to donate a real football to every young boy and girl who attends the clinics, and we anticipate that around 1,000 will show up from various schools and orphanages around Arusha. Each day I receive emails from teachers and program directors asking to get their children involved."
Many of the youth who will take part in the clinics do not attend school, or have negative influences in their lives. By teaching them and providing them access to sport, they have something to strive for and look forward to.
The cost of shipping footballs - which in themselves will be a foreign object to youngsters more familiar with a round-shaped football - has been assumed by the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA).
TAHA was established with the aim of promoting and developing horticulture and addressing the general and specific needs of its members. This involves among several things providing a collective voicing platform for issues affecting the sector, providing a common front for promoting the members' businesses in and outside the country, advocacy for the improvement of the environment in which the sector operates.
"A special thanks goes to Tanzania Irie and the TGT facility for helping to organize and host these clinics, and to the Tanzania Horticultural Association for shipping the footballs to Tanzania," added Steenberge.
The spectacular Kili Bowl event also includes a three-day service project to benefit Moshi area orphanages, and will culminate in both teams climbing to the summit of the imposing 19,341 feet high Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Arusha Hotel will serve as host for the Drake Bulldogs, media and game officials, while the Kibo Palace Hotel is hosting the CONADEIP Mexico official party. Kilele Savane, Ltd of Arusha is handling all local transport; safari coordination and the Kili climb operations. Full details and photos are available at www.KiliBowl.com, as well as onwww.facebook.com/globalkilibowl.com.
To receive information via email contact Patrick@GlobalFootball.com or call Patrick Steenberge on 817-219-7274. Full tour packages and other event information is available on the www.globalfootball.com website.
Handling travel details for the teams and official parties is Anthony Travel: (866) 913-7169 or AnitaFreeman@AnthonyTravel.com or visit www.anthonytravel.com/globalfootball/kilibowl for details.
