Football legend Ronaldinho coming to Kenya

One of the world’s most glamorous footballs icons Ronaldinho Gaucho will be in the country this weekend on a football assignment.

The former Samba ace and ex-Barcelona football wizard will be the chief guest at the Super 8 Champions League finals at Camp Toyoyo – a grassroots football competition spearheaded by Extreme Sports Limited in partnership with a gaming firm.

Ronaldinho, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2005 and Fifa World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, is expected to arrive in Kenya on Friday.

And ahead of the visit, Extreme Sports Operations Manager Athanas Obang’o said that they expect his visit to inspire budding footballers at the grassroots.

Extreme Sports will manage on ground activities in Nairobi County and Kisumu where the World Cup winner will attend an exhibition game at Moi Stadium.

“Extreme Sports looks forward to making it a memorable day for all the fans. Having such an icon as Ronaldhino is inspiring to the players and we hope to continue working together in the future,” said Extreme Sports Operations Manager Athanas Obang’o.

Obang’o added that Ronaldinho’s visit will inspire rising footballers at the grassroots level which will go a long way in helping Kenya realize its dream of playing in the FIFA World Cup.

The partnership is a timely shot in the arm for the Super 8 Champions League as the package includes a bumper award prize of Ksh 100,000 for the winner while runners up pockets Kshs. 50,000 and third place bags Kshs. 25, 000.

Participating teams will also receive medical physiotherapy services as well as full playing kits as part of the deal.

Now in its second edition, Super 8 Champions League incorporates the top eight teams from the Super 8 Premiership.

Thirty two grass root clubs from different regional areas in Nairobi participate in the Extreme Sports run league whose vision is to nurture talent and empower the youth at the community level.

One of the greatest football icons known for his dazzling footworks, Ronaldinho sharpened his skills at the grass root while playing street soccer (Futsal) in the Porto Alegre city of Brazil.

The 2002 World Cup winner with Brazil had an illustrious career in his playing days having turned out for Paris Saint Germain in France, La Liga giants FC Barcelona and also AC Millan in Italy.