Sports
Players Commend Aspire Football Academy’s Initiative
Some of the 50 players at the just concluded sixth Aspire
Football Dreams Camping programme in Lagos have commended its organisers, the
Aspire Football Academy, for developing grassroots soccer in the country.
The Qatar-based academy scouts for male players of 13 years
of age in the country.
The 50 outstanding players at the camp were selected from
the 820 that registered across the country for the programme’s preliminary
trials in January.
Four outstanding players were selected from the 50 at the final trials in
Lagos and would be registered for a training programme at the Qatar-based
academy.
The players told newsmen at the camp at the National
Stadium, Lagos, that the event would inspire more talented young players in the
country.
One of the five goalkeepers selected for the trials, Stephen
Iwu, commended the academy for organising the scouting programme.
“I am so happy to be part of the five goalkeepers that were
selected for this year’s final trials at the academy.
“I have really learnt a lot and hopefully, I should be
selected among the players that will be going to Qatar to improve my talent,’’
he said.
Kareem Toheeb, a midfielder, urged the academy to not relent
in its efforts at sponsoring the programme in the country.
Another player, Joe Nduka, said that the initiative was good
and advised the organisers to be fair in their selection.
“I must commend the academy for this wonderful initiative
and they should also endeavour to be fair in the selection,’’ he said.
Mathew Ezekiel and Ime Fabio, both expressed hope on their
chances of being selected in the final of the event.
According to them, the scouting programme is an avenue for
aspiring football talents to achieve their dreams.
The final selection programme, which commenced last
Wednesday ended at the weekend.
The academy also scouts for talents in six other African
countries namely: Senegal, Mali, Moroco, Kenya, South Africa and Cameroon.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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