Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has called on young athletes in sports academies to prioritise education, discipline and clear life goals as key foundations for achieving success in sport and life.
Ferdinand made the remarks on May 19, 2026, during a motivational session with young people held at the Gymkhana Club.
The event was organised as part of an official invitation by Tanzania’s Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda.
He told the youth that success is never accidental. It is built through consistent hard work, strong discipline and the ability to stay focused even when facing rejection or doubt from others.
Ferdinand shared his personal journey, explaining that he was once told he did not have enough talent to reach the highest level of football.
However, he refused to accept that criticism and instead used it as motivation to work harder and improve himself.
“The key to my success was knowing exactly what I wanted and working every day with discipline until I achieved it,” he said.
He encouraged young people not to give up on their dreams, stressing that setbacks and negative opinions should not define their future. Instead, they should remain focused and committed to continuous improvement.
On his part, Makonda emphasized the need for local governments, especially Ilala District in Dar es Salaam, to invest in sports infrastructure and youth development programs.
He said every district should have proper facilities and organised teams to support young talent.
He noted that it was unacceptable for Ilala to lack both a stadium and a structured team system, directing sports authorities to take immediate action starting June 1 to address the gap and strengthen youth opportunities in sports.
Makonda further announced that Ferdinand would also visit the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania on May 20, 2026, before continuing his tour to Serengeti National Park.
He will later conclude his visit at Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium, marking the end of his official engagements in the country.
