Man Capital LLP, an investment firm and subsidiary of the Egyptian Mansour Group, has entered into a US$120million investment agreement with Ghana’s Right to Dream football academy to boost the academy’s growth in nurturing football talents, making it the biggest investment in the history of Ghanaian football.
The partnership, which is aims at fueling growth in purpose-driven approach to global football, will among other benefits, enable the academy to expand its intake of players, both boys and girls, to develop more talent in Ghana, as well as facilitate the training of more Ghanaian coaches.
In addition, the investment will enable the Ghanaian brand to be exported abroad, seeing the star shining brightly in Egypt through the launch of a new Right to Dream academy for boys and girls in West Cairo, replicating the successful academies in Ghana and Denmark. The investment will also support the creation of a new pro women’s team to be formed in Egypt
Leveraging on innovation and education through football over the years, Right to Dream Academy has produced 20 Ghana international players, including Strasbourg’s Abdul Majeed Waris and Ajax Amsterdam’s Mohammed Kudus.
Commenting on the US$120 million investment, Chief Executive Officer of Right to Dream Group, Tom Vernon, was confident the partnership will be the engine to his outfit realizing its fullest potential of creating a new standard of purpose-driven sports for players and clubs.
“For 20 years, Right to Dream has been using football as a platform for social change, bringing lifechanging opportunities through sport and education for children and their communities. The academy has helped to develop some of the best youth players in Ghana and is proof that there is a different way to develop elite athletes with strong education paths through purpose-driven football.
This partnership helps Right to Dream move into the next stage of its global expansion, putting people and purpose at the center of football. Our expansion into Egypt and Europe is further evidence that Ghana can export its football values and culture not just its players.
With our partners and our strong experienced team, we are hungry to do more for the growing elite sporting talent and educational achievements of children coming through our academies, to help them achieve their dreams,” Mr. Vernon added.
On his part, Chairman and Founder of Man Capital, Mohamed Mansour indicated that his team had taken keen interest in the academy’s work and the impact on the youth, and finally decided to reach the agreement.
“I could not be prouder to be investing in and partnering with Tom and his team at Right to Dream, who are inspirational for the life-changing work they undertake with talented boys and girls across Africa, Europe and the Americas.
We have long taken a close interest in the work they are doing and are delighted to be announcing our partnership today. We are committed to supporting communities across Africa, through our foundations and other philanthropic activities,” Mr. Mansour stated.
Under the terms of the partnership, Man Sports, an entity created by the Mansour Group will assume majority control of Right to Dream with Tom Vernon remaining the other significant shareholder. Additionally, Mohamed Mansour will serve as chairman on the board of Right to Dream, while his son, Loutfy Mansour, the CEO of Man Capital, becomes a Board member.
The Mansour Group with reported revenue of over $7.5 billion in 2018, deals in different sectors including energy, automobile, finance, and food.
