Kenyan students who are also beneficiaries of Fondazione Milan’s Sport for Change program have engaged in a profound mentorship program with AC Milan players Christy Grimshaw and Yunus Musah.
As a segment of the “All the Colors of Sport” program, AC Milan stars acknowledged the International Day of Education on 24th January in Nairobi by connecting secondary school students worldwide.
Facilitated by Fondazione Milan and local partner Alice for Children, the initiative focused on empowering over 1,300 girls aged 10 to 18 through sports, to promote their strength and independence.
The pivotal discussions revolved around Grimshaw and Musah sharing their personal experiences, addressing topics such as multiculturalism, and the culture of inclusivity in a football dressing room.
Among other major topics delved on was racism, a problem that the recent Serie A round once again confirmed to be a current and tangible issue in the world of football.
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Yunus Musah on Life Values
Yunus Musah shared his experience and lessons learn throughout his career.
“Throughout my career, football has taught me values such as patience and respect. Patience helps you understand that you shouldn’t be discouraged because, by working hard, you can achieve your goals.
“Respect is fundamental, especially when sharing daily life with over twenty different individuals in the locker room,” he said.
The players also highlighted the importance of combining sports and education, sharing insights that extended beyond the boundaries of the football pitch.
AC Milan Women Midfielder on Education
Christy Grimshaw, while reflecting on her unique journey, emphasized the privilege of playing football and earning a degree simultaneously.
“Throughout my career, I had the privilege of playing football and earning a degree at the same time, an experience that taught me to be patient and work hard.
“In a locker room like ours, with players coming from every part of the world, it is crucial to educate each other about each other’s culture, asking as many questions as possible to better understand one another and having great respect,” Grimshaw shared.
The Sports for Change programme aligns with AC Milan’s RespAct Manifesto, underlining the Club’s enduring commitment to sharing the positive values of sports and confronting all forms of prejudice and discrimination.
This dialogue between football stars and students transcends boundaries, creating a space for meaningful conversations that extend beyond the realm of sports.
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About All the Colors of Sport
Launched in the 2020/21 season, “All the Colors of Sport” serves as a global platform for dialogue between AC Milan representatives and students.
The initiative aims to equip younger generations with the knowledge and understanding necessary to address relevant themes in their everyday lives.
It engages annually between 1,000-2,000 boys and girls in a constructive dialogue on topics such as the inclusive culture of the football locker room, the importance of balancing study with sports practice, respect for rules and others, and much more.
