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Former English Premier League star Mikel to conduct coaching clinics for Kenyan youngsters
Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Oscar (L) celebrates scoring their second goal with Chelsea’s Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel (R) during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in London on September 24, 2014.
Former English Premier League star, John Obi Mikel, will conduct coaching clinics for budding Kenyan footballers this weekend in Nairobi.
The 38-year-old former midfielder, who won the Uefa Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, arrives in Nairobi on Friday at 2:30 pm. Mikel also won Europa League trophy with Chelsea in 2013.
On Saturday, Mikel will mentor budding footballers of different age groups at Rusinga School in Nairobi, followed by a media session at midday at the same venue.
Mikel’s visit to Kenya has been organised by Africa Cultural Enterprise, a London-based sports and music entertainment company.
The London-based company also brought former English Premier League strikers Andy Cole and Emmanuel Adebayor to Kenya this year.
Arthur Oloo, the local partner of Africa Cultural Enterprise, said the company has been bringing football icons to Kenya to connect them with local audiences, and inspire budding footballers.
“We are looking to connect our local audiences with global stars, and to inspire growth of the game from grassroots. That is why we have the coaching sessions with them (football icons) in order to give hope to local footballers, especially the young ones. We also hope to give Kenyan football fans an unforgettable experience of watching an English Premier League (EPL) match with a football icon amidst them,” said Oloo.
The event has been dubbed ‘Football Fiesta’.
On Sunday, Mikel will headline a watch party for the English Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Nairobi Club, and later share football insights with fans. His former club Chelsea will host the match, which will kick-off at 6:30pm (Kenyan time).
It won’t be the first time that Mikel is visiting Nairobi as he was part of the Nigerian squad that defeated Harambee Stars 3-2 in a 2010 Fifa World Cup qualifier match played at the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani in Nairobi on November 14, 2009.
Mikel again returned to Nairobi with the Super Eagles and beat Harambee Stars 1-0 in a 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifier match at MISC, Kasarani on June 5, 2013. After snubbing Manchester United for Chelsea in 2006, Mikel spent a massive 11 years at Stamford Bridge where he won multiple titles including two EPL, four FA Cups and the 2011/2012 UEFA Champions League.
Stoke City and Middleborough in England, Turkish side Trabzonspor and Norwegian side Lyn are the other European clubs that he played for. After Mikel, the next football icon set to visit Kenya is former Cote d’Ivoire international and Manchester City star Yaya Toure, who will hold similar sessions on May 11.
In all, Mikel stayed at Chelsea for 11 years where he won multiple titles, including two English Premier League titles, four FA Cups, the 2011/2012 Champions League, and the 2012/2013 Europa League.