NAIROBI, Kenya, March 15- Kenya is once again hosting the Premier Skills initiative, a collaborative project between the English Premier League and the British Council.The project is taking advantage of the league’s popularity to help develop both community coaching and English language skills.
“The English Premiership is popular not just in Kenya but around the world. It is for this reason that we believe this project can be a resounding success,” said the British High Commissioner to Kenya Robert Macaire on Monday.
“It is unfortunate that one of Kenya’s stars Macdonald Mariga could not make to the the premiership but I hope we can unearth more Marigas from the children who will go through this project,” he added.
Phase two courses of the project are also taking place in Egypt, China and Vietnam under the tutelage of premier league coaches who all hold UEFA qualifications.
Their mandate is to strengthen the knowledge of local tacticians and understanding of inclusive community development and as a result becoming pivotal figures within their organization and community.
“We are proud of Premier Skills, our partnership with the premier league and I am delighted that the second phase of this unique project which combines English and football is going ahead,” said British Council chief executive Martin Davidson.
The phase will focus on best practice in grassroots football and inclusive community development, community project design and motivating and supporting volunteers engaged in the delivery of projects.
Phase 2 of the project will build on these achievements , further developing the skills of some of the most promising coaches that we have worked with,” said Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore.
The project is also a resource for learners and teachers of English all over the world to combine an interest in football with language learning.