A Nigerian female coach, Chinasa Ukandu, alongside Colombian Luis Alejandro Castañeda have been announced winners of the 2019 WorldRemit/Arsenal’s Future Stars coaching programme.
With this development, the two young coaches are expected to fly to London for a personalised training session with Arsenal Football Development coaches – a trip sponsored by WorldRemit.
Chinasa and Luis were among eight finalists, four women and four men, who were selected by a panel of judges from WorldRemit and Arsenal for their commitment to using football to empower young people and benefit their communities.
The duo emerged winners following an online public vote on www.FutureStars.WorldRemit.com.
With about 40,000 votes cast in less than three weeks – Chinasa received the highest number among the female coaches and Luis received the highest number among the male finalists, a statement from WorldRemit noted.
Chinasa coaches boys and girls aged 5 to 16. Together with her friends, she helps provide young people with an opportunity to develop football and life skills at ‘Help The Talent Academy’ in Lagos state.
She had earlier completed phase three of the Premier Skills Coach Educators Course (an initiative by the English Premier League and British Council) in 2015.
“I’m so excited to win the training session in London and can’t wait to meet the Arsenal Football Development coaches. I love a challenge and will use this global coaching opportunity to take new skills back to Nigeria and give back to my community,” the elated Chinasa said.
Luis also commented: “I’m so grateful to WorldRemit and Arsenal for this opportunity. I’ve always dreamed of travelling to London and will use the experience of training with Arsenal Football Development to help develop and raise awareness of Paralympic sport in Colombia and even globally.”
It will be recalled that Luis is a volunteer coach for a blind boys’ football team from Colombia’s Bogotá town. The team was set up 20 years ago by his father, who is blind; to help young people develop their mobility and independence.
Speaking on the programme, Andrew Stewart, Managing Director, Middle East & Africa at WorldRemit said: “At WorldRemit, we are inspired every day by our customers, who work hard to send money home to support their communities.
“Through our partnership with Arsenal and the Future Stars programme, we are delighted to celebrate the stories of inspiring individuals such as Chinasa and Luis, who use sport to make a difference to the lives of the young people they train. Congratulations to the winners and our team looks forward to welcoming you to London!”
Also commenting, Simon McManus, Head Coach at Arsenal Football Development, said: “Through our programmes in London and across the globe, our Football Development coaches are dedicated to helping set young players up for success both on and off the pitch.
“The Future Stars winners’ work within their communities shows just how powerful football can be and the importance of promoting diversity within the sport. We are excited to meet Chinasa and Luis and support them in amplifying their contributions to grassroots football in Nigeria and Colombia even further.”
The Future Stars programme was developed by WorldRemit and Arsenal to celebrate the positive impact that grassroots youth football coaches have on their communities.
