Muamba, Yankey to visit Tobago

Muamba, a former Bolton Wanderers midfielder, and Yankey, ex-Arsenal Ladies and the most capped England star ever, will visit the Island as efforts to promote the major new tourism initiative. The pair will visit local schools and community clubs as part of the Flow-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 footballers will work with local kids in the run up to the main event at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet between June 15 and 22. The British Airways Tobago Football Legends Challenge will see eight teams representing top UK clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester United 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 sport.

A vast array of talent has already been signed up for the tournament, led by Tobago’s own legend and former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke, including team mate Andy Cole and Liverpool great Stan Collymore. Others expected to strut their stuff include former Chelsea teammates Gianfranco Zola and Carlo Cudicini, ex-England defender Ugo Ehiogu, former France and Manchester United star Louis Saha, Dutch internationals Pierre Van Hooijdonk and Michael Mols, and ex- Portugal and Arsenal star Luis Boa Morte.

The Flow Legends Community Legacy Outreach programme is designed to help create a lasting legacy from the tournament, with football legends visiting schools, clubs and academies around the island, coaching and offering advice. Former Manchester United great Louis Saha and ex- Arsenal defender Lauren have already visited Trinidad and Tobago on separate occasions in recent months.

Brian Collins, managing director for Flow in Trinidad, said, “we are extremely delighted and proud to be working with Division of Tourism and Transport of the THA to sponsor the Flow Legends Community Legacy Outreach initiative. We saw from the initial launch of the community outreach initiative in Roxborough back in February that this programme excites the kids and ignites dreams.

“Sport in general and football in particular has the ability to broaden the horizons of each child whom it touches and Tobago is full of natural talent so a programme like this has the ability to impact exponentially. The exciting thing about the entire initiative is that appeals to football fans regardless of age. Once you love football you won’t want to miss this.”

The event is being hosted by the Divisions of Tourism and Transportation, Education, Youth and Sports along with the UK’s largest international scheduled airline British Airways and the PFA, which represents past and present professional footballers in the UK. Premium Sponsorship partners include Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort, Flow and The Tourism Development Company. The Legends tournament matches will take place at the Dwight Yorke Stadium on June 20 and 21. Ticket prices have been set at just $50 per match day and gates open from 2 pm.

Tickets are due to go on sale from Monday at the following outlets - Penny Savers Supermarkets (Tobago), Crosby’s (St James), Cleves One Stop Music Shop (Port- of-Spain), Cache outlets nationwide, Milford 24 Tobago (24-hour gas station) and Flow payment centres (Arima, Port of Spain, Chaguanas, San Fernando and Tacarigua).