NAIROBI, March 17 – Former Arsenal star Nwankwo Kanu will visit Kenya for a four-day tour between April 2 and 5.
The former Nigeria striker will be in the country as the chief guest for the inaugural StarTimes inter-media football tournament scheduled for April 2 at Safaricom Kasarani stadium.
Kanu, who also played for English Premier League clubs Portsmouth and West Bromwich Albion, Dutch side AFC Ajax and Italian giants Inter Milan, will conduct a football clinic that will bring together three academies.
On Sunday April 3, Kanu, who skippered the Super Eagles to the Olympic gold medal in Atlanta 1996, will host the training at the Star Soccer Academy, which is run by former Bandari FC and KCB FC head coach Rishadi Shedu.
The clinic will involve young football players between the age of 10 and 17 from Star Academy, Syokimau Academy and Riruta Youth Sports Association.
“Kanu is an inspiration to many because his success story is the typical African narrative of rising to stardom against all odds. He is a star that everyone can relate to and we are proud that he is coming to Kenya to interact with football enthusiasts,” StarTimes corporate communication manager, Alex Mwaura said.
The 49-year-old StarTimes brand ambassador will also spend time with cardiovascular condition patients at Kenyatta National Hospital to promote his Kanu Heart Foundation initiative which he founded in 2000 to help save underprivileged African children.
Kanu has won a UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, three FA Cup medals and two African Player of the Year awards.
The seven-a-side tournament that will involve 16 media teams headlined by Capital FM, who will battle out for a top prize of Sh50,000, a trophy and gift hampers.
The runners-up will win Sh30,000 while the third placed team walks home with Sh20,000 in the one-day tournament where the most disciplined team, best goalkeeper and top scorer will be rewarded.
Capital FM, fresh from winning the Standard Chartered Road to Anfield tournament will be ably represented and the Best Mix of Music team led by Team Manager Duncan Kikata has vowed to win the tournament.
“The tournament has come at the right time when we are preparing for the Anfield trip. We have been training and this competition will give us a good platform to gauge our fitness. We are not going to merely participate but win the tournament,” Kikata, Capital FM’s Head of IT stated.
The draw for the tournament will be conducted after the March 22 submission deadline with the 16 teams set to be split into four groups.
Capital FM will depart for Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club April 20 to represent Kenya in the four-day competition that includes teams from America, Asia, Middle East and Europe.