FC Tanga initiate moves to encourage sports through education

CEO of FC Tanga, Humul Khulsum Tahiru interacting with an orange sellerr

An elated petty trader clad in FC Tanga's apron

F.C TANGA, a promising Division one league club in the Upper East Region, has embarked on a branding mission by introducing a Youth Mentoring Project, nicknamed “Learn Hard, Play Hard, Earn Big” to the streets and markets of Bolgatanga. 

The project which is the first of its kind in the soccer history of the region, seeks to eradicate poverty and empower the youth through football. 

It also sought to breathe life into the teeming youth by unearthing their hidden talents through sports. Prior to the launch of the project, management of FC Tanga has taken the initiative to distribute the team’s paraphernalia’s in the form of aprons to petty traders, shop owners, hackers as well as meat sellers in the municipality. 

Speaking to URA Sports in Bolgatanga, the Head of Communications of FC Tanga, Ebo Bruce Quansah, said the giveaways was to expose the team to the outside world and also solicit support from well-wishers. 

Head of Communications, Ebo Bruce-Quansah

According to him, the project idea was mooted last year when the second division league was in session.

 He said in recent times, talented footballers have developed the common notion that the profession is one of the greatest avenues to enrich themselves, yet they play in vain without adding any value to their lives. 

Mr.  Quansah cited instances where young talented sportsmen in an around the country are offered scholarships to second cycle schools to develop themselves academically but with the presuppose mindset that they are in the school to exhibit their talents and not to learn, they end up destroying their career. 

The project, he noted, is therefore intended to encourage such individuals to take advantage of the opportunity given them to add value to their God given talents should in case they fail in their endeavour. 

The Project, he further explained, forms part of the team’s corporate social responsibility with the view to giving back to the community.

 In a nutshell, the project is geared towards creating awareness in schools on the need for the youth to effectively combine their talents with education, in order to build their personality and also brighten their chances of becoming successful icons. 

He said the decision to take the project out to the streets was because the concept targets parents and guardians who are caretakers of these talented young ones, therefore parents have no excuse not to support their wards to develop their talents and also inspire them to add value to their career. 

He expressed grave concern about the refusal of some parents to support their wards education because they went contrary to their wishes. 

He said most often than not, some talented sportsmen go through trying times in their attempt to succumb to the wishes of their parents at the expense of their talents in order to escape their wrath. 

He bemoaned such attitudes and urged parents not to deny their wards the opportunity to develop their talents and give them the needed support to be who they aspire to be.

Interacting with to some market women, the CEO of FC Tanga, Humul Khulsum Tahiru said, in as much as she loves to see mothers in the best of clothing, it is her wish that mothers will cut down on their expenditure on cloths and other expensive materials and rather spend money on logistics that will help their children excel in their chosen fields. 

CEO of FC Tanga, Humul Khulsum Tahiru

She said with a good boot and proper training, a low class player can confidently become a top star. 

However, regardless of one's talent and with the current turn of events, one cannot make it to the top without education, so parent must ensure the development of their children’s career through education.   

A petty trader, Teni Azumah, who was elated with the effort being put in by management of FC Tanga, admitted that even though she has never prevented the son from playing football, she has not for once engaged him to talk about his needs. 

She said though it is sometimes infuriating to see the son go out with friends to play football, she wishes he will rather concentrate on his studies instead of moving along with friends at the least opportunity.

 She said now that she has been enlightened about the prospects of the boy, she will do anything in her capacity to support his career while giving him the best of education he deserves.

GBC END