10 Nigerian Youths For Homeless World Cup

Community Connects for Leadership, a Lagos-based, Non-Government Organisation (NGO), has shortlisted 10 youths from Cross River State for the Homeless World Cup scheduled to hold in Mexico in 2012.

They are: Regina Otu, Onyinye Christpher, Ruth Nwana, Blessing Epko, Glory Henshaw, Bassey Ekpeynog, Edem Effiong, Kingsley Uduak, Alale Ilam and Peace Nse Edet.

Yomi Kuku, an official of the organisation, told newsmen on December 25, after a 3-week selection exercise in Calabar that only three youths of the 10 youths would eventually make it to Mexico.

He said the shortlisted players would undergo another screening in Lagos, out of which the three would be selected to represent the country in the tournament expected to hold between October 6 and October 18, 2012.

Kuku explained that the tournament was part of FIFA’s effort to encourage “fair play in football”.

He said that Cross River was the first state outside Lagos to embrace Community Connects for Leadership, “which is all about sharing and reaching out”.

Earlier, the Executive Director of Search and Groom, Nigeria, Ini Onuk, had said that 128 youths from across the 18 local government areas of the state participated in the exercise.

“We had over 2,000 male and female youths that applied to participate, but only 128 were accommodated at the end of which 10 were shortlisted,” she said.

Onuk said the exercise was made possible through a partnership with the Bridge Foundation for Leadership, and that it was aimed at grooming youths of Cross River for future leadership roles.

Speaking on the occasion, Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River said the exercise was beyond being champions.

“It is an opportunity for the youth to express their God-given leadership qualities.

“This whole exercise is all about turning you to become leaders. It is about preparing you for the future. It is about preparing you to be humble champions.

“It is also to prepare you to be leaders of your community and to be leaders of your country both on and off the football field,” Imoke said.

He said there was a need for the youth to always have vision in life, pointing out that with vision, they could help their community.

The Tidesports reports that outstanding players were presented with trophies in addition to the certificate of participation given to all the participants.

Homeless World Cup features a five-a-side format played without referees and the two teams decide the rules of the game.