By GILBERT WANDERA
In six year’s of existence, Jean-Marie Juliana, otherwise known as JMJ Academy, has contributed immensely to the development of football by identifying and nurturing young talent.
In those six short years, the Academy has managed to place three players in top clubs in Europe. The three include Victor Mugabe, Ayub Timbe (Germinal Beerschot in Belgium) and Johanna Omollo (FC Fola Luxemborg).
Both Mugabe and Johanna also turn out for the national team Harambee Stars. The Academy’s success story began in 2004 following a visit by Jean-Marie Abeels, a former footballer in Belgium.
When Marie arrived in Nairobi, he was taken around Uthiru suburbs in the western outskirts of Nairobi by his brother-in-law Mike Nderi and he was surprised to see children playing around but with no purpose.
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Nderi says this prompted Marie to want to do something and give the children hope, hence leading to the birth of JMJ Academy.
JMJ Academy pose after winning a match during the recent Orange Mabingwa tournament. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD] |
Here they were fed, accommodated and transported to and from the training ground. The Academy also paid school fees for all the children as most of them were from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Through hard work, sacrifice and determination, the pioneers of the Academy managed to send Mugabe and Timbe to Belgium for trials in a move that would open doors for other players to follow suit.
After three years in Belgium, Mugabe managed to sign his first professional contract with Germinal Beerschot, a top Belgian division one side for a reported signing fee of about Sh50m.
Nderi, who is Secretary General of the Academy, said they spend close to Sh1.2m to take care of their costs at the Kawangware-based facility.
"We currently have more than 50 children who are staying in the camp. Majority of them are still in school and we cater for all their expenses," he said.
Another 15 players have finished school, but are paid a salary of between Sh15,000- Sh25,000 to train daily as they wait for opportunities to open up in Europe or elsewhere.
Early this year, the club entered into a partnership with Premier League side AFC Leopards and they donated more than 10 players to the team. The agreement has since lapsed.
Two of their players Milton Milimo and James Orundu are currently with the national Under-20 team.
Nderi says they will soon open up a Soccer School at Highridge Primary grounds for talented children whose parents are well off to pay for the services. Those selected will pay Sh5,500 per quarter. The money covers for training. From this pool, talented children will be picked and taken to Europe for various youth tournaments where they have a hope of being selected to join any of the top clubs.
