United coaches praise Proline Academy

Manchester United Academy Director Anthony Whelan has praised the ‘football mentality’ of Proline Soccer Academy (PSA) players.

Whelan, an expert at handling junior players for the past 15 years, and United Academy Chairman John Shields are in the country for a four-day visit at the invitation of PSA Director Mujib Kasule and patron Julian Ferdinand, father of Rio and Anton.

“For the short time I have worked with these players (U-17 category), I have been amazed by their mentality. It’s fantastic,” Whelan said after spending close to five hours with the players at Lugogo Sports Complex on Friday.

The session which attracted players, coaches and press went through a classroom lecture and physical training.

Shields went a step further by outlining the qualities of a good coach citing, “resourcefulness, excellent communication skills, ability to assess learning environment and designing effective strategies as the most important.”

The pair who arrived in Uganda on Friday morning alongside Julian is mainly concentrating on comparing philosophies and assessing the structure of academies during their tour.

Both Whelan (former Man City midfielder) and Shields, visiting Uganda for the first time, assured the Academy that they will return to ensure that the academy succeeds like the Man United Soccer Schools in South Africa.

The participants will be handed certificates at the closing ceremony on Sunday afternoon at the Lugogo indoor stadium which will be presided over by the Sports Minister, Mr. Charles Bakkabulindi. The clinic is sponsored by MTN.