Samsung Electronics and Chelsea Football Club helped to realise the football dreams
of 12 youngsters with their Dream The Blues campaign, designed to give youth from
around the world a once-in-a-lifetime experience by attending a Chelsea football
training camp and hospitality programme in London from 14 to 19 May 2013.
The South African youths, Goitsemang Lengene and Mvelo Mvuleni, joined their
African team mates Ishmael Mensah from Ghana and Jep Mallam and Moses Magnut
from Nigeria for a trip they would never forget.
The week-long camp included several training sessions with Chelsea Football Club
foundation coaches, meeting and training exclusively with Dream The Blues
ambassadors: Fernando Torres, Juan Mata, Oscar dos Santos and Victor Moses, a tour
of Stamford Bridge and the opportunity to attend the last match of the English
Premier League season where Chelsea took on Everton.
“Seeing my son training with his sporting heroes and further developing his skills
makes me proud,’ says Stephen Ngwenya, father of Mvelo Mvuleni. “Not only has he
learnt a lot from a soccer skills perspective, but training with youths from around the
world has opened his eyes to experiences beyond his wildest dreams – allowing him
to make friends that will remain long after our return to South Africa.’
Ofentse Kgomontsho, father of Goitsemang Lengene agreed: “I still cannot believe
that this has happened – what a wonderful opportunity. Thank you to Samsung and
Chelsea for giving us this opportunity.’
Following the exclusive training with the children, soccer star Fernando Torres said:
“It is wonderful to have the chance to play with the kids, even for half an hour. I think
the chances that Samsung and Chelsea Football Club have afforded these kids are
huge.
“I wish I had this chance when I was a kid – it was difficult for me to even find a
football pitch or a space to play football. This is a great chance for them to play with
the players and watch and learn so they can realise that they too can become a
footballer and their dreams can come true. It is not far away. It is just that they have
to keep trying and working hard.’
“Samsung is focused on youth development and on providing experiences that go
beyond expectations. The Dream The Blues campaign has been another way in which
we have provided kids who are passionate about football with access to opportunities
that help them realise their dreams,’ concluded Lucy Jones, corporate marketing lead
for Samsung Electronics Africa.
