2019 Anambra FA Cup Champions, Aspire FC on Saturday held a one-day scouting programme for some selected clubs in Anambra State with top FIFA licensed football scouts and agents in attendance to fish out promising young and upcoming players of Anambra extraction.
The scouting programme which was held at the Neros Stadium Nanka was for Under-15 and Under-20 age categories with four clubs: Aspire FC Adazi-Ani, DOSAD FA Enugwu-Ukwu, Olive Charles FC Onitsha, and Man City FC Onitsha all taking part. Top football administrators, Ex-Internationals, FIFA agents, and veteran sports journalist in attendance were former Super Eagles Coach and Director (Technical) Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Augustine Eguavoen; Chairman Nigerian Players Union, Tijani Babangida; Chief Executive Officer of Ogbemudia Sports Outfit and Myron Topclass Sports Outfit, Egbe Ogbemudia and Executive Vice President, Landmark Sports and Entertainment Promotions Ltd, Chinedu Amadi and SuperSport TV Host, Ralph Chidozie George.
Reacting to the scouting program, ‘MyAnambraFootball’ Project Manager, Chukwuebuka Ifeka stated that the Aspire FC scouting programme is part of ‘MyAnambraFootball’ project vision to develop and elevate grassroots football in the state by giving the young lads who want to make a career in football the opportunity to display their God’s given talent and possibly ink a deal with a top club in Europe or Asia. On her part, the Brand Manager Aspire FC, Madonna Ezeasor opined that the one-day scouting programme couldn’t have come at the right time where the youths in the state are being given the platform to showcase their talents and be spotted by top football administrators, scouts, and football licensed agents.
Director (Technical) Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Augustine Eguavoen advised the kids to be disciplined and take education serious while in pursuit of their football career, he emphasized that a footballer’s career can be long and short, however, education and discipline is the key to all sphere of human endeavor.
Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Footballers Union, Tijani Babangida said that when it’s about youth football, he likes to come and see and as well encourage youth footballers, he posited that this is an opportunity to catch them young, as the boys are talented and determined. He stated that some of them will be jolted to the U-15 and U-17 National teams. He thanked the organizers for their vision in taking Anambra Football to the next level.
