Sendi Ian (born 14 June 1990) is professional football player who plays as an attacking midfielder for American club FC Minneapolis.[1][2][3] He is also the managing director of the National Sports Academy Kampala.[4]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 14 June 2024 | ||
| Height | 5'8 | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | FC Minneapolis | ||
| Number | 7 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Bemidji State SC | |||
| Dayton Dutch Lions | |||
| International career | |||
| Uganda national football team | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Club career
editSendi has played for Bemidji State SC, Bulls Sports Academy, Dayton Dutch Lions, Good News Academy, Great Warriors Academy, Makerere College School, and National Sports Academy.
Sendi has played in the American Premier League, Champions of Regions, Lions Cup, Minnesota Fall Cup, United Premier Soccer League and the US National Cup.
In July 2023, Sendi was awarded as FC Minneapolis' most-capped player with 91 games, 33 goals, and 42 assists, he was also awarded as the club's most successful team captain between 2021 and 2023. He helped the club to five major achievements in that period.[1]
International career
editSendi has represented his country Uganda in the U21 Uganda National Team. He was also named in the Uganda cranes squad for regional tour in Runkungiri.[5]
Achievements
editSendi reached two consecutive UPSL West Division semi-finals in 2021 and 2022.
In 2021, Sendi helped FC Minneapolis as they made history by becoming the first Minnesota team to reach the finals of the US National Cup in over a century, they lost the final to Spring Field at the Toyota Stadium in Chicago.[6]
Personal life
editSendi started his career in Lungujja at Bulls Sports Club and Great Warriors before moving to the United States in 2011.[7]
Sendi found met with coach Varney Cole who invested faith in his abilities since 2015, this enabled him to join the American Premier League in 2015 playing for FC Minneapolis and announced himself to the watching fans as a promising youth. He also helped the club to win their first trophy and was selected in the League's Best Eleven Team at the start of the 2016 season. He also became the first Ugandan to play in the American Premier League.[8]
Foundation
editSendi started a foundation in 2007 known as Sendi Ian Foundation as they focused on local soccer academy in Kampala, Uganda to give hope and life to orphans, street children, and other disadvantaged kids giving them a home where their physical needs such as shelter, clothing, feeding, and health care can be met.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b "Sendi Ian". FC Minneapolis. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ "Uganda's Ian Sendi returns to FC Minneapolis from where it all started". FC Minneapolis. 2024-02-28. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ Eric, Geno (2023-12-29). "Pride park beams with pride, Ian Sendi is back". NBS Sport. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ "National sports Academy". Gust. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ Marsha, Ahmed (2024-11-22). "Uganda Cranes Squad for Regional Tour to Rukungiri Named". FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ Eric, Geno (2023-12-29). "Pride park beams with pride, Ian Sendi is back". NBS Sport. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ Kawalya, Brian (2022-06-12). "Ian Sendi: US-based Striker Undergoes Successful Operation". Live from ground. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ "Uganda's Sendi shines in American". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ "Sendi Ian". Bridges of Grace. Retrieved 2024-11-26.