Four Right to Dream (RtD) graduates have earned scholarships to study abroad through the network of elite scholarships developed by RtD over the years.

Former Academy captain, Farouk Osman, Theophilus Quartey and Richard Mensah Glemawu have taken up scholarships at the Hotchkiss School, Salisbury School and South Kent School, respectively, which are all based in Connecticut, USA.

Added to the list is Mohammed Khadir, who joins Millfield School in England, bringing the number of RtD graduates, who have earned scholarships to study in schools abroad, to twenty-eight (28).

Khadir will be joining a school that has a rich history in sports and also offers pupils a choice of almost 30 sports disciplines, coupled with their numerous facilities, including an equestrian center, 13 tennis courts and an athletics arena.

Millfield, a £10,000 per term boarding school, was the highest represented British school at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with two athletes winning gold medals.

Khadir, who has the honour of becoming the first RtD graduate to join Millfield, said he is hoping to have an immediate impact, having acquainted himself well with facilities and teachers at the school during a recent visit.

“It’s a high standard school. I’m working hard to go there and fit into the system. I’m going out there to play for the school soccer team, hopefully the first team. I will also like to take part in drama, with my experience in the RtD drama group.”

Former Academy Captain, Farouk Osman starts his four-year scholarship at the prestigious Hotchkiss School, an independent boarding school, which was founded in 1891, in Lakeville, Connecticut.

He joins an elite list of former RtD graduates- Moro Mohammed, Isaac Normesinu, Rashid Nuhu, Atobra Ampedu and James C-Nortey- who have benefited from Hotchkiss’s top class education program, as well as, the choice of 20 sporting disciplines, including track and field, soccer, volleyball and basketball.

“The responsibility lies with me, to go there (The Hotchkiss School) and raise the standard of RtD,” said Farouk whose scholarship is worth more than $40,000 per year.

He added, “I will go there and seek to have an impact on others, based on the character traits and education I have acquired at RtD.”

Richard Mensah Glemawu has the distinction of being the first RtD Academy graduate to be awarded a scholarship to the South Kent School in Connecticut. The school which was established in 1923, is a member of the New England Preparatory Schools Athletic Council and the Hudson Valley Athletic League.

Richard is delighted at the opportunity to study and develop his athletic ability at the school.

“I’m not just going there to add to the school population. I will make sure I create more opportunities for the younger ones at RtD, by working hard and giving off my best in every endeavour,” Richard said.

Graduate Theophilus Quartey is also set to attend Salisbury School which is noted for instilling a vibrant enthusiasm for learning and the self-confidence needed for intellectual, physical, moral and spiritual development.

Theophilus is hoping to gain a lot from his studies abroad and give-back to the Ghanaian society.

“I will make sure I do my best at Salisbury School. I know I will meet high quality teachers and facilities. I will equip myself well to come back to RtD and give back to the society.”

The scholarship opportunities developed by RtD, are part of its continuing support for all its graduates and form an integral part of the Right to Dream development philosophy of using sport as a vehicle for education and social change, to produce future leaders for Ghana.

"The opportunities being offered by Hotchkiss, South Kent, Salisbury and Millfield are life-changing for our four graduate students, allowing them to continue their education at first class institutions in the USA and the UK, broadening their knowledge, experiences and understanding of the world, so they can make valuable contributions to the development of their communities in the future," said the Founder and Chief Executive of RtD, Tom Vernon.

"On behalf of the trustees and staff of Right to Dream, I would like to sincerely thank the schools for the opportunities they are offering our graduates and look forward to further developing these unique relationships in the future."

NOTE TO EDITORS

Right to Dream continues to deliver world class coaching and a specialised programme of personal development, education and leadership skills to some of the brightest but underprivileged young football prospects in Ghana and Africa as a whole.

Students from Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo and South Africa are currently enrolled at the school.

To date, fifteen RtD graduates have signed professional contracts for European Clubs. Five others are senior internationals and many others have played for Ghana’s junior national teams including the three junior internationals who played for the Ghana national under 17 team recently.

A further 28 continue their studies, whilst furthering their football ambitions on full scholarships at leading universities, private boarding schools and colleges in the US and the UK.

Other RtD graduates either work within the sports industry or have secured contracts with Ghanaian Premier League clubs. In addition to mentoring students at the Academy, they also assist at local development projects on a voluntary basis.