Howard University will hold screening sessions in this country from this Wednesday with the intention of offering scholarship to local talented footballers.
The initiative is one shared between Howard University and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association from which technical adviser Muhammad Isa will work along with the American University. Phillip Gyau, the head coach of the Howard University Soccer team will be here to oversee the sessions.
Gyau is a former U.S. National Team forward and also a former captain and head coach of the US Beach Soccer team. He attended Howard University where he played on the men’s soccer team from 1982 to 1985. He was appointed head coach of Howard last year.
The first session is scheduled for this Wednesday, February 4th from 3pm at St Mary’s College Grounds, Serpentine Road. It is opened for all players under 20 who are advised to show up to the sessions at least thirty minutes in advance.
The action shifts to South, at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium on Sunday from 9am.
The final selectees will then play a match against the National Under 17 Men’s Team from 5pm on Tuesday at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
“This is an initiative the TTFA is really looking forward to and very happy to be part of,” Isa said.
“It allows us to provide that medium for our upcoming talented players to have that opportunity to go on to excel in the game at a top university such as Howard as well as further their academic qualifications.
Ian Bain will also work along with us at the St Mary’s screening and this is all part of our efforts to work with past national players in ventures such as this.
We intend to make this one of many other similar initiatives where we can offer such opportunities to both male and female players in Trinidad and Tobago,” Isa added.
Howard University has a rich history in U.S. Soccer and several Trinidad and Tobago players have graduated and played there.
Former national team goalkeeper and technical director Lincoln coached Howard University from 1970 to 1980 and led them to two NCAA Division 1 Championships in 1971 and 1974, becoming the first African-American to win a NCAA title.
Ex-Senior team goalkeeper Shaka Hislop also attended Howard between 1986 and 1991.