June 13, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- UAB head women's soccer coach Paul Harbin will travel to Kenya Sunday to be a part of sports management workshop on behalf of CARE ( one of the world's largest private international humanitarian organizations), Nike, Inc. and the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA).

Harbin, along with University of Southern California head soccer coach Ali Khosrohahin -- whose team won the 2007 NCAA championship -- will provide a four-day clinic (June 18-21) to young females (ages 14-17) in Kenya.

The Kenyan American Soccer Exhange (KASE) is part of the CARE Sport for Change Initiative. KASE helps young Kenya women and girls build self-esteem, develop leadership skills and strengthen relationships and, through sport, be the agents of their own development.

"This past spring we had the opportunity to compete with the KASE team while they were touring the U.S.," said Harbin. "While the game was very exciting, the best part was watching the players talk and interact afterwards. Considering the drastically different backgrounds of the two teams, I was amazed at the similarities between the individuals and pleased to see how quickly they bonded with one another.

"I'm extremely grateful to Nike and CARE for giving me the chance to be a part of the Kenyan American Soccer Exchange project," Harbin said. "To be able to reach so many young girls and help to further empower them through the soccer clinics is a wonderful opportunity. While I am being asked to teach them each day, based on what I experienced when they were here in the U.S., I am quite certain I'll learn more from them than I could ever expect to teach."

In addition to the clinic, there will also be sports management professionals on hand to offer insight and information to Kenyan coaches, administrators and organizers in regards to setting up leagues, marketing and conducting fund-raisers.

Last year, CARE programs improved the lives of more than 65 million people in 71 countries. CARE not only feeds the hungry but also helps tackle underlying causes of poverty so that people can become self-sufficient.

CARE is one of the world's largest private international humanitarian organizations, committed to helping families in poor communities improve their lives and achieve lasting victories over poverty. Founded in 1945 to provide relief to survivors of World War II, CARE quickly became a trusted vehicle for the compassion and generosity of millions.