A consortium comprising football enthusiasts and professionals, led by Ahmed Yusuf, President of DollyP Sport Academy, has urged governments to take a more proactive role in nurturing young sports talents, particularly in football, by establishing football academies.
This call for government involvement underscores the belief that sports development should not rely solely on private initiatives.
Yusuf, alongside the academy’s sporting director Akeem Latifu and a team of scouts spearheaded by Villasenor Lopez Israel, emphasized the crucial role of football academies in identifying and nurturing young talents, laying the foundation for future sports stars.
Highlighting the academy’s efforts in scouting talents across various regions of Kwara State, Yusuf emphasized that DollyP Sport Academy provides comprehensive support to young athletes, encompassing meals, accommodation, sports materials, sports development, and education. Moreover, parental consent is sought to ensure the holistic participation of young athletes in sports activities.
Latifu underscored the transformative potential of football in uplifting Nigerian families from poverty, emphasizing its capacity to drive economic growth. Drawing parallels from Lagos State, where football has significantly contributed to the economy, Latifu stressed the need for widespread recognition of football’s socio-economic impact.
Collaborating with international sports development agencies, the academy aims to extend its footprint beyond Kwara State, with aspirations to impact football development across Nigeria and Africa. The ultimate goal is to replicate success stories like that of Taiwo Awoniyi, leveraging football as a vehicle for providing opportunities to young talents from Kwara State and beyond.
Israel, representing Grupo Orlegi from Mexico, emphasized the importance of mentality in young talents, asserting that mental strength plays a pivotal role in their adaptation to new environments, football systems, and cultures. Expressing the scouts’ unwavering commitment to positively influencing the lives of young Nigerian footballers, Israel acknowledged the abundance of strong players in the country with immense potential waiting to be harnessed.
As the consortium’s call for government support gains momentum, stakeholders in Nigerian football anticipate a collaborative effort between public and private sectors to foster the development of young sports talents, ultimately propelling Nigeria onto the global football stage with a new generation of stars.
