Focused on improving the lives of children in the mining town of Linden, giving them a sense of identity and purpose, including developing their social skills, Guyana’s football star athlete Kayode “Magic Man” McKinnon decided to create an academy to fulfil this mission.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, McKinnon recalled that the Kayo’s Football Academy was started in March of 2008 based on a vision to restore core values in youths. The academy, he pointed out, offers “specialized training for development so that the children can identify with something positive.”
The academy was created for children between the ages of 6 to 16 years. The children in this academy are divided into two groups for training purposes: ages 6 to 11 and 12 to 16. Sessions are held every Saturday from 9:00hrs. Besides the training in the skills and discipline of football, the children are taught social skills and hygiene, and attend motivational talks once a month.
The academy intends to develop the child in “four corners”; physical which includes stamina, agility, speed and co-ordination; psychological, such as self-esteem, motivation and self-confidence; social, that is, teaching of etiquette and good communication; and technical focus on the fundamentals of different aspects of the game, instilling correct training habits and development of game techniques.
“This is a co-educational programme dedicated to provide excellence in the development of children and young people. We are designed to provide a challenging and enriching environment by building their confidence, respect for each other, commitment and character. This academy will promote accountability from both parents and kids, honestly reporting to God and each other; being conscientious, which is being morally upright and guided by a strong sense of right and wrong; contentment, that is, having all you need from God to be happy, no need to be jealous, covetous and greedy. We teach all of these principles to them, aiming to help them become well-rounded individuals and not just star athletes,” expressed McKinnon.
Children of the academy are guided by its motto, “I’m a very important person, in me there is success; I must respect others.” By reflecting on this, students are helped to improve their overall attitude towards themselves and others.
Additionally, McKinnon mentioned that sessions are held at the Linden Technical Institute (LTI). He is also very grateful to the institution’s principal for understanding and sharing his vision, and making available these facilities for this programme. LTI has also allowed access to a classroom for the academy’s phonics programme and language classes. McKinnon highlighted that there is also a session for “a parent and child day to explore and deepen the relationship between the children and their parents.”
Benefits of football
McKinnon has been personally empowered by football. At the tender age of 3, he started playing outside his home in Linden. At age 6, the popular football athlete joined his first club.
“I always understood the importance of community; even back then with the older guys always looking out for the younger ones. I had a high level of respect for our seniors of those days: Claude Beckles, Charlie Couchman and the list goes on and on. Along with my family, those guys always encouraged me,” he recalled.
The football pro credits the game for helping him find his identity, purpose, and the ability to believe he can do anything. It has also aided him to become mentally tough, disciplined, committed, responsible, accountable and passionate in everything he does.
“I have been all over because of football; experienced different cultures, and I am educated on things I never knew before. Some of my achievements in the area of football include being voted best player in the Caribbean at the under 20 tournament in Barbados; playing for Guyana for over 16 years, playing professional football for over 10 years in Trinidad, Jamaica, the USA with the Barracudas; a stint in Las Palmas, Spain; winning the Trinidad & Tobago Pro League; F.A. Cup, earning a Level 3 U.E.F.A. B certificate in coaching, being the Most Valuable Player for Guyana at the Inter-schools’ Football Tournament, being the former captain of and playing on the most successful Golden Jaguars, Guyana’s national team, and being adjudged the best mid fielder at the last Kashif & Shanghai tournament in 2011,” McKinnon outlined.
His plans for the academy is to allocate an appropriate youth training facility; football and teaching equipment, funding to expand the literacy programme and to help with reaching out to other children in rural areas.
McKinnon’s vision for the academy is to create a career path for those who might not have the resources or the motivation from others and are looking for someone to believe in them. It is his aim to collaborate with “elite personnel”, to have them work with the students of the academy, imparting their expertise and knowledge.
“I usually outline the curriculum everyone has to work with. We are also constantly doing evaluations to see where we need to be and what necessary improvements we have to make. At present there are over 50 kids enrolled. At this moment, I am trying to get a proposal finished which would allow kids to have a one-month camp and tournament every August, and from that we begin to seek trials outside for those who are really interested in playing abroad. I’m happy to see many of these ones focused on developing themselves and drifting away from being involved with negative things. We aspire to encourage them to strive for more than just being a football player but also being good citizens,” he summed up.
Visit www.kayosfootball.com for more information on the academy’s projects. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
