Soccer News of Sunday, 4 August 2013

Source: Erasmus Kwaw

Right to Dream Academy for Manchester United Premier Cup

The reigning Premier Cup Champions of Africa, Right to Dream Academy (RtD), are set to take part in the World Finals of the Manchester United Premier Cup from 6th to 9th August in Manchester, England.

RtD holds the record as the most successful African U-15 football team in recent years, by achieving four top 8 finishes in the Premier Cup.

The Ghanaian Academy team will be representing Africa together with South African newcomers Rosina Sedibane Sports School in the 20th edition of the tournament.

The U-15’s qualified for the prestigious tournament after beating Tunisian giants Esperance 4:2 on penalty shoot outs after the game ended 0:0 in regulation time at the African Finals Qualifiers, in May. Umar Kenya’s team left Accra for Manchester on Saturday 3rd August to finalise preparations towards the 20th edition of the tournament, which is highly regarded as the ultimate experience for U-15 teams in the world. For over a decade, RtD has been working to offer opportunities to talented underprivileged children from across Ghana and Africa. The school currently enrols students from Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Benin and South Africa. The Technical Director of RtD, Gareth Henderby said the tournament will present a good platform for his team to prove themselves.

"The MUPC World Finals are such a great opportunity for these young Ghanaian boys. Many of them love football with a passion, but lack the chance to prove themselves at higher levels nationally."

RtD will be facing opposition from 19 top teams drawn from the various continents, including top European heavyweights AC Milan, Spain's 1994 Premier Cup Champions Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund from Germany, UK MUPC Champions Arsenal FC, tournament hosts Manchester United, among others.

The tournament kicks off with the Opening Ceremony and Draw at Manchester United's Aon Training Complex on Monday 5th August, at 7.30pm.

The finalists will enjoy the experience of a lifetime, when they walk out to play the final match, in a curtain raiser to Rio Ferdinand's Testimonial, Manchester Utd -v- Sevilla at Old Trafford on Friday 9th August.