Two star athletes who provide pathways for young Africans to make their marks in American football and tennis are guests on this weekend’s edition of Globacom-sponsored African Voices on CNN International.
African Voices Changemakers this week celebrates the sterling achievements of The duo of Nigerian Osi Umenyiora, former National Football League , NFL player and Joseph Oyebog, founder of a Tennis academy named after himself, will be on the 30-minute magazine programme sponsored by telecommunications services provider, Globacom.
While 40-year-old Umeyionra is promoting American football across Africa and providing African athletes with a pathway to join the league, Oyebog, a former tennis champion returns to his hometown to train underprivileged youth and mentors them to acquire skills both on and off the court.
Former American football defensive end, Umeyionra played college football for Troy University prior to which he was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and holds the Giants franchise record for most sacks in one game and is one of five British-born players to have won a Super Bowl.
Oyebog, a Cameroon National Champion in competitive tennis makes the benefits of tennis available to underprivileged children in his country. His Oyebog Tennis Academy, founded 23 years ago, has coached over 12,000 children in tennis, and relevant life skills including teamwork, determination, perseverance, kindness and generosity.