Football Academy: RSG, Real Madrid Sign Ratification Agreement

Rivers State Government and Real Madrid Football Club have signed a ratification agreement for the development of Real Madrid Academy, Port Harcourt into an international football academy.
The agreement signing ceremony took place on Monday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home of Real Madrid Football Club. The signature event held at the Presidency Reception Centre of the stadium.
The signature of the ratification Protocol was executed by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the Executive Vice President of Real Madrid Football Club Foundation, Enrique Sanchez.
In an address, Wike said that the State Government is preparing the Real Madrid Academy as a veritable pathway for the empowerment of Rivers Children.
He said: “We are preparing the Real Madrid Academy as a veritable pathway for our young stars to be international football talents and for them to realise their dreams.
”We will offer them exposure, nurturing opportunities and mentorship by world renowned professionals at the Real Madrid Academy “.
He informed the Real Madrid Football Club management that the Rivers State Government has already exhibited seriousness by developing the needed infrastructure at the Real Madrid Academy in Port Harcourt.
He said that in establishing the Real Madrid Academy, the Rivers State Government took into consideration the culture and reality of the state.
”Taking the interest of our youths, the Real Madrid Academy is designed for culture and holistic programmes with a comprehensive package for the acquisition of high level knowledge in a comfortable and inspiring environment “, he said.
He added that the Real Madrid Academy will also serve as an avenue to grow the economy of Rivers State, which is the second largest in the country. Governor Wike urged officials of Real Madrid Football Club to serve as ambassadors of Rivers State to the rest of Europe.
Executive Vice President of Real Madrid Football Club Foundation, Enrique Sanchez commended the Rivers State Government for its commitment to using football as a tool to empower youths.
He assured the Rivers State Government that the Real Madrid Foundation would continue to partner with it for the training and exposure of Rivers Children.
Sanchez said that the partnership with Rivers State Government will be expanded to include local schools in Rivers State.