Chennaiyin defender Emmanuel’s noble work for a ‘Bright’ football future in Rwanda
Chennaiyin FC's new signing, Emmanuel Imanishimwe, is balancing his professional football career with his philanthropic work in Rwanda. He co-founded the Bright Football Academy to provide free training and equipment to underprivileged children in Kigali.
Why it matters
It highlights the positive social impact professional athletes can have on their home communities through grassroots sports development.
For 120-odd football-mad kids at Kigali in Rwanda, Chennaiyin FC’s new signing Emmanuel Imanishimwe is the “president”. Wonder why?
The Rwanda international is a co-founder of the football school where the children are having a ball. In a bid for a better tomorrow, Emmanuel had set up the Bright Football Academy in the company of former National-team colleague Dany Usengimana.
The kids handpicked via trials in the capital city receive training, clothing and equipment for free while those who enrol themselves at the centre on their own are charged a nominal fee. It is all about “giving back” to the beautiful game for the 31-year-old.
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