In 2003, a group of football lovers established the Stars of Africa Football Academy. The Academy develops young footballers as the future “Stars of Africa”.
The Programme ...
Each football player is developed mentally, socially and physically by a qualified and skilled technical team.
'Stars of Africa Football Academy fosters youth development of the players, who, in many instances come from disadvantaged communities. Our skills development programme is focused on providing them with a good education, social expansion and a quality of life that will hold them in good stead in their future as professional footballers or in business'.
The Academy is capable of housing up to 60 boys. Exceptionally, not only does the Academy cater to football training, but it caters to educational needs as well.
The Academy
Administration Office, 9 Bedrooms, Laundry Room, Kitchen, Dining Hall, Gymnasium, Lecture Facilities (computer studies, match analysis, training analysis, seminars/workshops), Training Facility (University of Johannesburg), Transport (22-seater Bus, 10-seater Vito).
Moreover, the Academy has a few coaches; goalkeeper coach, physical trainer, house father, cleaning personnel, driver and a chef.
'Football as life
Life around football'
Technical Director
Farouk Khan
The technical director of the Academy since its establishment, Farouk Khan, has an abundance of experience, over 26 years worth.
Khan has developed some of the players we see on our screens today. Players such as May Mahlangu, Tokelo Rantie, Sibusiso Khumalo, Kaizer Motaung, Itumeleng Khune - just to mention a few.
He has also provided coach education for coaches such as Cavin Johnson, Sugar Ray Xulu etc.
The list of his achievements is endless ...
Sponsors
The only thing Stars of Africa lacks are sponsors. The website states, the Academy wants to affiliate itself with schools, district associations, amateur clubs and professional teams. Moreover, form relationships with government departments, parastatals, academies and corporate entities.
By the sound of things, the Academy wants sponsors that will help maintain their already fully equipped facility, including operational costs such as transportation, meals, educational material and equipment.
The Academy having no sponsors turns my attention to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Trust. I've just read what the Legacy Trust aims to do and it mentions 90% of the things the Academy stands for. If so, why doesn't the Legacy Trust sponsor the Academy?
Oh ja, you have to fill in a form or two, to state your business and what you need help with if I'm not mistaken. However, the Minister of Sport and Recreation of South Africa, Fikile Mbalula always mentions how he looks to improve and promote soccer for underprivileged children etc etc. I think the Academy should have benefitted from this a long time ago. The Academy would probably be pushing out more footballers than what they are currently producing if they had the sponsorships they require.
Like other football clubs, the boys at the Academy have training kits, match kits, tracksuits, golf shirts, etc. Do you know who supplies these? Well, the Academy.
These boys get to the Academy at such a young age, they still go to school. They visit the library and take out books to read. Isn't that amazing? The Academy is not just football crazy, it also takes pride in the education of its footballers.
I don't know how the Academy would feel about moving base, finding another location. Brixton is not a great place. It's dark, dingy and dodgy, high in crime and safety is a must when you're caring for other people's children. Security at the Academy is tight though - high walls, secure gate - nobody can just waltz in without being noticed. The boys even have a curfew. The last time I checked it was 19:00. Moreover, from what I hear, the executive team is pretty strict, a good strict though, like positive criticism. For instance, no talking to girls (or get caught talking to girls), they are a distraction (I understood this, even I wouldn't want some guy messing up my future), no missing curfew, being late for practice was unacceptable. Disrespect the Academy and you're out! I won't say no names.
If you're at Stars of Africa Football Academy, good luck with your future endeavors, even those who stepped on my toes. I hope someone or some organisation sees what I saw in the Academy and sponsors them without changing a thing. To the executive and technical team, it's been 10 years and footballers like Rantie are a reflection of the Academy, keep up the good work.
By the way, if you happen to be in the neighbourhood, knock on the door, visit the Academy, watch the boys practice or watch them play, trust me you won't be disappointed.
