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Ashok, 17, determines to empower youth through football

17-year-old Tanzanian student Ashok Mittal, currently studying in Dubai, has initiated a groundbreaking football tournament
Ashok Mittal football tournament tailored for secondary school students in Arusha, Tanzania.

TANZANIA: In an inspiring move to champion sports among young people, 17-year-old Tanzanian student Ashok Mittal, currently studying in Dubai, has initiated a groundbreaking football tournament tailored for secondary school students in Tanzania.

Christened “Champion of Tomorrow,” the campaign officially kicked off last Thursday and features eight teams representing a mix of public and private schools.

The tournament includes participants from schools such as Lemara, Sombetini, Sinoni, Mateves, St. Patrick, Renea, Kilimanjaro Boys Academy, and Brainy Heroes, all hailing from Arusha.

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Each team has received generous sponsorship from local businesses; ensuring players are equipped with essential gear including football boots, jerseys, balls, and goalkeeper gloves.

“I am thrilled to launch the ‘Champion of Tomorrow’ Football League here in Arusha. My vision is to create opportunities for underprivileged youth to pursue their passion for football and potentially reach professional levels by providing them with crucial sports equipment,” Ashok expressed.

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He also emphasized the collaboration with coaches and trainers from local talent development centers and scouts, which will aid young athletes in realizing their aspirations while fostering positive contributions to the community.

This initiative has emerged as a collaborative effort, backed by various sponsors committed to its success.

The tournament follows a knockout format, culminating in a final match scheduled for August 8, 2024, where the top teams will face off after advancing through the competition.

The opening match between St. Patrick and Sombetini secondary schools ended in an exciting 2-2 draw at the UWC International School football grounds.

Goals for St. Patrick were netted by Ramadhani Abbasi and Emmanuel Masanja, while Boniface Exavery and Yusufu Kassim found the back of the net for Sombetini.

In another thrilling encounter, Lemara Secondary School claimed victory over Kilimanjaro Modern Academy with a narrow 1-0 win, thanks to a brilliant goal from Hajiru Nassoro, who skillfully maneuvered past the defenders.

The St. Patrick Secondary coach Denis Shemtoe commended Ashok for organizing the tournament as he suggested that future events might benefit from improved preparations to address challenges experienced by the assistant referees.

As the tournament progresses, Ashok Mittal hopes to inspire a new generation of footballers while fostering a spirit of teamwork and resilience among the youth of Tanzania.