In Senegal, Jules Koundé spearheads the drive for youth development in Africa

Senegal has the distinct honour of hosting Jules Koundé and the Siboo project for the training and education of young footballers in centres and academies. The programme includes a face-to-face with the local press, followed by a meeting with hundreds of young male and female players from academies in Dakar and other regions. To finish, there is a visit to Gorée Island, in remembrance of its history. On his first visit to Senegal, the Barcelona defender was very enthusiastic about both the place and a project close to his heart.

Young Africans and their dream: the heart of the project

At 25, Jules had set foot in Africa only once before, in Benin on a purely family trip. Yet the continent seems to be a priority for the France World Cup runner-up, no doubt because of his origins. "Africa is a continent I want to discover. It's a chance for me to discover Senegal. I've always had a link with Senegal through childhood friends and I've always wanted to discover it. Then I'll go to Benin. Through Siboo or other projects, I want to make my contribution on the continent. My father is of Beninese origin. My family lives there too. I have a link with Africa," he said.

With the agency, Jules Koundé may have found the perfect partner to widen his ambitions for Africa. Siboo's director, who is Senegalese, was keen to point out that her group is focused first and foremost on Africa. "We are carrying this project for Senegal and for Africa. It will start with Senegal, then Benin. What interests us is sport in Dakar, sport in the regions, but sport in Africa generally. This project, and Siboo itself, has an African vision. It is the African continent we want to help through our various initiatives," explained Baada Oumy Salomon.

Jules Koundé, the ideal messenger

The world of professional football and its demands are at the heart of the "Siboo" project. The word "Siboo" means "dream" in Mandingo, a language widely spoken in many African countries. It aims to support and guide the dreams of many young footballers in their quest to reach the top level in Europe. Who better than Jules Koundé to carry that message? "Young people must be made to understand that football is not an end in itself. That's why I think we have a good ambassador in Jules, because he's someone who does a lot of things outside football," says Ms Salomon.

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When approached about such a project, Koundé did not hesitate for a second. Despite a busy schedule, he made the trip to Senegal, with another to Benin immediately afterwards. "I've known Oumy for a very long time. As a little anecdote, she's the big sister of one of my best friends," explains Jules Koundé. "When she told me about the project, it struck me as important. Football today has moved on and leaves little to chance. You have to be properly trained. It starts with looking after young people. I've been through that too. I was lucky to be well trained and well supported by people who knew how to give me the right advice," he recalled.

In its mission to prepare young footballers for the demands of the top level, Siboo could not have wished for a better standard-bearer than Koundé. "I thank our ambassador, a professional in the true sense of the word. He is also someone who has already thought about life after football. He has launched business projects. He's the perfect ambassador for this programme and the idea is simply to inspire," said a delighted Baada Oumy. "Developing young footballers is the reason I'm here," says Koundé. "It's very important. Reaching the top level of course takes work, attention to the small details, the invisible things: sleep, nutrition… I wanted to be part of this project," he insisted.

Welcomed like a rock star by the children

After facing the journalists, Koundé went to the BeSport Académie centre, a Barcelona partner, where hundreds of children greeted him like a rock star. The boys and girls, from academies in Dakar and the regions, went to great lengths to get the prized souvenir: a selfie with the Barcelona defender. Whether they were Barça fans or not, all that mattered to them was getting close to such a star. Despite a hectic visit schedule, Koundé made a point of meeting every request. He shook hundreds of hands and posed for plenty of photos with his young fans.

A gala match between the BeSport academy and FC Bignona was on the programme, along with a session handing out gifts to the children. It was also a chance for Jules Koundé to send a message of encouragement to the youngsters. "I was in your place too, wanting to become a professional footballer," he began. "But above all, remember that the person you are is what matters most. School is very important. You have to work hard to be able to think for yourself and make the right decisions for your career and your future. I encourage you in that," he told the young academy players.

School, a priority for coping with the top level

Urging young footballers to put more effort into school is a priority for Koundé, who had stressed it earlier in front of the media. "School played a big part in my career. It taught me how to surround myself well, make the right decisions and be well supported. This programme is about supporting young footballers, the young sportspeople of tomorrow. This programme can make a difference, which is why I agreed to be its ambassador," he said.

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Ms Salomon echoed that view. "It's vital to highlight the importance of school. Today they all want to be footballers, but tomorrow they may find they have other preferences, perhaps they'll be more at ease in communications or on the pitch as a coach. At a certain age, these are things where it's hard to step back. I think it's all our duty to make them aware of these choices. With Jules as ambassador, it's a message that will be clearer and stronger for young people who have only football on their minds," hammered home the Siboo director.

The new realities of modern football demand certain knowledge and skills, even with staff in place to handle off-field matters. "What concerns us is the sports marketing and communication side. Football has changed and for an athlete it's always important to understand their environment, to grasp what's at stake in sports marketing, to learn to communicate. It's learning to manage your personal brand, how to behave with the media, how to handle your relationship with fans, how to manage your social media. We know that in academies only a small percentage of players will reach the top level. The idea is also to give the others skills, to let them bounce back in the professional world. As part of the programme, we will bring in people who will make young athletes aware of all these demands," she explained.

Jules Koundé's Senegal visit ended with a short boat trip to the famous island of Gorée, where the France international discovered the House of Slaves and the various historic sites from the period of the slave trade. After revisiting this dark chapter of history, the event closed on a more upbeat, hopeful note with a visit to the African Renaissance Monument in Dakar. Koundé then flew to Benin for the second part of the project.

Moustapha M. SADIO