The
Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu, on Tuesday said the
government would ensure the smooth operation of FC Barcelona Academy in Nigeria
by supporting its plans for youths.
Tinubu
made the promise at the unveiling of the academy, named “FCBESCOLA’’, which is
to be sited temporarily at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
He said
that football, one of the cardinal programmes the government wanted to use to
encourage youth engagement in the economy would continue to get the desired
attention.
“Gov.
Ambode made a promise at the inception of his administration that sports will
be part of his drive towards a vibrant economy in Lagos State.
“The
state wants to use sports and entertainment to put itself on the world map;
through youth engagement and economic prospects; not only the youth but also
the entire citizenry.
“The FC
Barcelona Academy in Lagos is the first of its kind in Africa and this tells us
that when people talk about football in Lagos they are talking about Barcelona.
“The
club as one of the biggest brands in modern day football will open its first
football academy in Africa in Lagos and every child in the state will learn
about their values,’’ he said.
Tinubu
declared that he would personally fund the training of 10 children in the
academy as part of his support.
“I will
personally sponsor 10 children to the academy because I so much believe in
their values as one of the most successful clubs in the whole world.
“The
academy has also promised to employ 10 indigenous coaches and create many
employments through the services that will be rendered in the academy.
“Our
youths will get the right value of Barcelona FC which will be more beneficial
to the development of football in Lagos, Nigeria and Africa in general.
“It is a
fantastic thing happening in Lagos, being a model for the development of sports
and a trail blazer in economic drive through sports,’’ he said.
Speaking,
Seyi Akinwunmi, Ist Vice-president, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said the
birth of the academy was a fulfillment of the prophesy made about five years
ago.
“I
predicted it about five years ago that Barcelona will come to Lagos to have a
model of how to play good football and here we are to witness the fulfillment.
“I am
happy that the academy is starting off from Lagos, football in Nigeria is back
to its root and we will be having great ideas as a model.
“Our
kids will learn how to play the pattern of Barcelona which is high pressing,
high possession and quality football which we have been trying to emulate in
our age grade teams.
“Lagos
has been selected to be an ambassador of good things to happen in Nigerian
football and it will also win a place on the world stage,’’ he said.
Akinwunmi
also pledged to send five children to the academy.
On the
vision, mission and the model which the academy will adopt in its operation,
the academy’s Sport Director in Nigeria, Lesile Oghomienor, said it would be a
world standard.
“We are
planning to have a 7,000 capacity academy stadium with all the sports
facilities such as gyms offices and training pitches.
“The
academy will also admit children from ages six to 18 that are good for
grassroots development. We hope to do that within the next two years.
“We hope
that in the next few years, products of our academy will win the U-17 World Cup
for Nigeria.
The
Project Manager for FC Barcelona in Europe and Africa Football Schools, Inaki
Gonzallo, said the academy would adopt the same curriculum used to train the
successful products of the academy in Nigeria.
“We have
produced many world class footballers from our academy and we will use the same
curriculum in the Nigerian academy.
“The
academy has been successful in bringing up great footballers around the globe
playing for big clubs, I hope Nigeria’s case is not far from that,’’ he said.
FCBESCOLA
will open on Sept. 17 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium as temporary site.
Labels: FC Barcelona, FC Barcelona unveils academy in Nigeria
