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Samatta raring to go as 7 Elite Academy Ambassador

By James Shaw, 12/09/19, 10:30AM MST

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7 Elite Academy Ambassador Mbwana Samatta is determined to unlock the “untapped potential” of young soccer players across East Africa.
 
The Tanzanian national captain, who plays professionally for Genk in the Belgian top flight, was named as the first 7EA Ambassador last month.
 
Samatta will work on major projects for the academy, which coaches thousands of youngsters in the United States, United Kingdom and East Africa.
 
And following his strike against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League earlier this season, the 26-year-old is looking forward to starting his new role.
 
He said: “I am so excited to get started with the 7 Elite Academy Ambassador project. It is very tough for any player to reach the professional game and I am determined to use my experience and help talented youngsters achieve their goals.
 
“There are so many lessons about professional soccer that cannot be taught on the training pitch, which is why I am happy to help 7 Elite Academy in that aspect. This is one of my priorities as an ambassador.
 
“Of course, building a sustainable base for youth soccer in East Africa is a key goal of mine. There is so much passion for the game in the region and untapped potential that can change so many lives, on and off the pitch.”
 
Samatta is the first of a series of 7EA ambassadors to be unveiled over coming months, as the organisation launches a major drive to expand opportunities for young people across the globe.
 
His first key project will be the design and construction of a football complex for 7 Elite Academy in Dar Es Salaam, while also participating in 7EA training camps across the world.
 
He added: ““Plans for a base in in Tanzania are well advanced and I look forward to releasing them soon. The fact that we have the backing of 7 Elite Academy's resources across the world is a massive benefit to that project.
 
“I also can't wait to visit 7EA's other projects in the United States and United Kingdom, so I can work with young people who already have a deep love of soccer. They are on of the main the reasons why I took up this role.”
 
“It is going to be a fantastic project for me, to be the first 7 Elite Academy ambassador, and I cannot wait to get started.”