Grassroot Soccer helps Zambian player get scholarship
From allafrica.com
by Wendy Nambule
CHIPARAMBA Soccer Academy player Samson Malijani has been awarded a four year scholarship to study economics and play soccer.
Grassroot Soccer have facilitated the scholarship worth US$ 37,000 (K133 million) per year at Farley Dickenson University in New Jersey.
Grassroot soccer Zambia director Jeff Decelles said his organisation secured a scholarship for one Zambian upcoming soccer player and decided to give it to Malijani. He said Malijani had exhibited a willingness to further his education aside from playing soccer.
“As Grassroot Soccer we work closely with Chiparamba. A coach from America contacted us and told us he wanted a soccer player who was good and had good grades at school. So I contacted Nenani Banda executive director for Chiparamba asking for a striker who is a good role model for youths in the communities, had talent and good grades at school,” Decelles said.
“Nenani recommended a couple of players who we looked at. We looked at hard work both school and soccer and role model in the communities and we came up with Samson.”
Malijani is scheduled to leave on August 6. The 20-year-old former Kafue Boys pupil recently came back from Turks Academy in South Africa where he was attached for a year. Malijani, who joined Chiparamba in 1998 when he was in grade seven, said he felt good and lucky to have been awarded the scholarship.
“It feels great and I feel lucky to get this scholarship out of so many players,” Malijani said.
“I will do my best that side because such opportunities come once. I will make use of it by working hard both in school and football and I am looking forward to becoming a good player. I would like to contribute to my country through soccer because I love my country very much.”
The 2004 Gothia Cup leading goalscorer in Sweden said he always believed he would be awarded such a scholarship. ” Through my effort and hard work, I am happy that I have seen my dream come true,” he said.
Malijani completed grade 12 in 2003 at Kafue Boys Secondary school with 14 points.
He thanked Grassroot Soccer for securing the scholarship. “Grassroots have done so much for me. They are the ones who have made this happen and made my dream come true,” Malijani said.