TRINIDAD and Tobago will host top football names Fabrice Muamba and Rachel Yankey from May 15 -19 as part of the British Airways Tobago Football Legends Challenge programme.
Muamba, formerly of Arsenal, Birmingham and Bolton, and Arsenal and England star Yankey, will promote a major new tourism initiative.
The pair will visit local schools and community clubs on their trip as part of communications company FLOW’s sponsored Legends community legacy outreach scheme.
“Children and youth in Tobago will get a unique opportunity up close and personal,” said Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Secretary of Tourism and Transportation.
“These community visits form an important part of our legacy programme that integrates our tourism efforts with activities designed to empower and inspire local youth. Both footballers will share their experiences and positively help to point the way for our children.”
The duo will work with local kids in the run-up to the main event at the Dwight Yorke Stadium between June 15 and 22.
The British Airways Tobago Football Legends Challenge will see eight teams representing top English clubs face-off against each other alongside the PFA and Caribbean all stars select teams. The six-a-side Legends tournament will host 64 of the best players ever to play the beautiful game.
The FLOW outreach programme is designed to help create a legacy from the tournament, with football legends visiting schools, clubs and academies around the island, coaching and offering advice.
Muamba, now retired, gained unprecedented international support in March 2012, when he unexpectedly suffered a cardiac arrest during a televised FA Cup match from which he recovered despite his heart having stopped for 78 minutes.
Following medical advice, he announced an early retirement from the sport in August 2012. He is now a respected ambassador for the game and is expected to share his unique insights with school children.
Yankey, 35, is the most capped player ever to play for England, ahead of male goalkeeper Peter Shilton. She was part of the Great Britain squad for the 2012 London Olympics and coaches in schools in England. Her visit to T&T will seek to address the needs of women in sport, outlining possible opportunities in the field.
Both footballers will be conducting coaching clinics and motivational speaking.