Fuseina Mumuni and Louisa Essuman were handed call-ups to the female National U-17 team in March, after impressing the national team handlers during a friendly game.
Fuseina went on to make history becoming the first RtD player to represent Ghana at a FIFA World Cup tournament, and also claiming the accolade as the youngest player at the tournament in Costa Rica.
Commenting on her World Cup experience, Fuseina Mumuni said, ‘Every time, I told myself that I’m there for a purpose. I always told myself I am here to open the door for others to have the opportunity.’
Fuseina gained invaluable experience, training and playing with her older colleagues in the Ghana U-17s.
‘I was afraid the first time I was interviewed by a woman because I didn’t know what to talk about. Another man interviewed me after but I later developed confidence. It was made easier for me because I had learnt a lot from RtD especially from Madam Eileen.’
The Wa-born player was also quick to note that she and her colleagues at RtD are in a privileged position by virtue of being at the academy and therefore have high standards to live up to.
‘If you are in Right to Dream, you will get more opportunities compared to another person elsewhere in Ghana – look at the teachers, the coaches and the staff who we have to guide us at RtD. We should not forget this. We have to take this chance and make the most of it.’
In March 2014, the RtD Academy received a massive boost following a partnership with Tullow Ghana. The partnership sees Africa’s leading independent oil company invest in Africa’s leading football academy.
Tullow Ghana’s investment is the cornerstone of the company’s agenda for creating shared prosperity through sports.
Bernice Natue, the Communications and Investor Relations Manager of Tullow Ghana, who spent some time with the girls during her visits to the Academy, gave her impressions on the girls, ‘I found them to be very smart, focused and purpose-driven young ladies. From the time I spent with them, I believe a crop of determined and resilient future nation-builders are being developed. The kind of training they are receiving at the Academy will play a significant role in what they become in future and how they play their nurturing role as women.’
As the RtD girls’ academy programme enters its second year, it is expected that the number of scholarship places would be expanded, and the Academy girls would continue to strive – through education, football and character development – to become female role models for their communities and beyond.
From The Sports Desk
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