Everton FC meets with Albino United FC in training and interactive session

In the east African country of Tanzania, a football club exists exclusively made up of people with albinism. The name of the club is entitled, Albino United FC. Founded in Dar-es-Salaam, the club, which is supported by Everton’s main partner SportPesa hosted the Everton trio of Michael Keane, Mo Besic and Tom Davies at Uhuru Stadium.

Albino United FC, once known as Albino Magic was established in 2008, a year after the killings of people with albinism in Tanzania started becoming rampant. The football club had one point to prove, persons with albinism, just like every other people, were no different except in skin pigmentation. Football as a game, especially on the continent, has often been seen as a tool to transcend poverty, and also unite countries. This time, it’s used to show that being an albino is nothing out of the normal.

Read: Albino witchcraft victims return to Tanzania with prosthetic limbs

🇹🇿 | When #EFC trio @MoBesic, @1TomDavies and Michael Keane met Albino United in Tanzania… #EvertonInTZ pic.twitter.com/pDIOWrwcNf

— Everton (@Everton) July 14, 2017

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The Everton trio trained with the Albino United FC, participated in some drills and interacted with the players on an individual level. Keane, Everton’s new signing said, “From spending time with the Albino United team today, I have learnt that the players go through some tough times. It’s not easy for them over here. It’s good that they can enjoy football and look forward to playing together. You can see their coach is really good with them. I told them all to keep enjoying their football – that’s advice you say to any football player, especially those who are younger.”

The Everton team had come to Tanzania to play against Gor Mahia, the SportPesa Super Cup Champions, making them the first premier league team to play in Tanzania.

The Albino United FC was presented with the new 2017/18 Everton away shirt. The fight against killings of people living with albinism is still on, as their body parts are considered potent for charms. These baseless and false beliefs need to be continuously fought and debunked if the fight is to succeed.

Read: Tanzania bans “witchdoctors” to end albino murders

🇹🇿 | @MoBesic, @1TomDavies and Michael Keane have been training with Albino United and presented them with the new away shirt. #EvertonInTZ pic.twitter.com/FVsbH6DTRX

— Everton (@Everton) July 12, 2017

🇹🇿 | Relive our historic visit to Tanzania in 170 seconds. 👇 #EvertonInTZ pic.twitter.com/zLtJRgpuQF

— Everton (@Everton) July 18, 2017