Saturday, August 14, 2021 will go down as a really emphatic date in the history of football in Ota area of Ogun State, as it marked the official commencement of activities at a new breed youth development project known as Goals Academy.
The academy, which is the brainchild and pet project of a young yet enterprising lady in the community, Temitope Olasunmonyan got into full swing under dramatic circumstances, with a modest yet impactful ceremony that included testimonies, speeches and sermons.
Among the special guests at the event, which took place at Anglican Grammar School (Public) in the rusty neighborhood of the dual-poly loosely called Sango-Otta, were the secretary-general of Nigerian Grassroots Football Federation (NGFF), Oscar Ezinwa Emmanuel, who is also the founder/president of Pison Divine Royals Sports International.
He was specially invited for the occasion by chairman of the day, Pastor Babatunde Bakare, who used to be in charge of a parish of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) at Isheri-Ijegun area of Lagos State, but is now based at The Redemption Camp in Ogun State.
They were joined at the high table by the hosts’ parents, Mr and Mrs Olasunmonyan, as well as Pastor and Mrs Overe of RCCG’s Faith Foundation Parish, where Sister Temitope is an active worker, with another member of the clergy and football tactician, Coach Olajugbe also present.
Among the crowd of ecstatic youth that followed the day’s events with keen attention and interest was the junior football team captain of Will-B Excellence Secondary School, Ikotun, Lagos, Daniel Hassan, and his classmate, Kelechi Adeleye.
They both made the best of their presence with the array of starry-eyed kids that enjoyed side attractions that included sports quiz, free jerseys, meals for all, choreography, moral lectures and a ceremonial match, to highlight what Temitope described as a ‘the best of football and life coaching academy built on mentoring leaders of tomorrow in the ways of Christ.’
She added in her opening speech: “We want to change the moral set of our youths in order to ensure they become transformed and perfected, to the glory of God. We started this venture through evangelism, which we aim to propagate through sports.
“We will keep kicking the ball forward and roll with God as the centrepoint of our focus. Our motto is based on the fear of God, love, integrity, holiness and tenacity. We tend to continue growing and moving forward with the Glory of God. We will not end up as local champions.”
That paved the way for a spread of turbo-charged speeches and sermons, which Daniel Hassan stated later was his biggest gain from being part of the occasion, as everyone present basked in the repertoire of knowledge exuded by all the speakers.
The words of wisdom were led by Pastor Bakare, who stated: “Everyone is created to be successful, and it is the wish of God that we prosper. All the children here are expecting to be successful. They want to be like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and other great footballers; but the genuine type of prosperity is the one that comes from God.
“This means that, for you to become a great footballer, you need to have God in your life. I see all these children here as stars of the world in the future, but they all need to have the fear of God. They need to follow the seven steps to success.
“They need thought, character, integrity, determination, dedication and focus to achieve their destiny. All of us cannot be doctors, accountants, lawyers, because we have different gifts from God and different talents; but we need the same pillar to back us up, and that is faith in God.”
Pastor Overe spoke in similar dimension under the topic ‘Goal Setting And Distractions,’ as he declared at length: “We all have aspirations when we are growing up, those are the goals we set on what we hope to achieve in life.
“We all have aspirations, but Satan always tries to put obstacles in the way to obstruct us and prevent us from reaching our goals. Those are the distractions Satan puts before us that aim to stop us from achieving our goals.
“On the other hand, God’s aim is to give us a good future and bright impact while on earth. That is why you need to have God on your side for to shine as a footballer. Good attitude will help you keep on track, and God will not change His mind about what he wants for you.
“His plan for you is to see you excel and reach the expected end that He has assigned for you. That expected end is full of glory and prosperity, which is what a footballer will try and achieve as his major goal. That is the mindset of goodness that God has for you.
“However, for you to achieve what God wants for you, you must avoid sin. Sins that distract footballers and obstruct them from achieving their goals include drugs, gambling, fraud, cyber crime, laziness and examination malpractices.
“Our children need good parental guidance and proper home background, they also need proper moral counseling and guidance at school, especially for them to avoid peer pressure; but the core of what they need to achieve their goals and overcome distractions is the presence of Jesus in their lives. This is because only Jesus can truly save you from Satanic distractions.”
Mrs Overe also spoke on the dangers of drug abuse, after which the climax of all speeches at the momentous occasion came from a keynote address by Oscar Ezinwa Emmanuel, in his multiple garb as coach, mentor, pastor, father, promoter and motivational speaker to guide everyone present, especially the youth, through the rudiments of ‘sports evangelism.’
Oscar posited: “Lionel Messi drew a huge crowd at his unveiling by Paris-Saint Germaine of France that even as president of a country cannot draw at a rally. Everyone is talking about Messi this, Messi that, that’s the power of football; but is anyone asking whether Messi is born again? Does he have Christ in his life?
”If we ask any of these boys here now what they want to achieve, they will say they want to be like Messi, or Ronaldo. They all want to be great, but they need to also know the basic things they must do to succeed and those that they must avoid.
“Now I give you my own charge to you, based on over 30 years of my involvement in sports and how God has used me to take over 200 young footballers abroad, while also travelling overseas as well on a number of occasions.
“Don’t be greedy, avoid envy, do not be lascivious, avoid fornication, do not cut corners, and work hard. Those are the basic codes you need to follow in order to be a great footballer. Most importantly, you need God at the centre of it all.
“That’s why I am called ‘B & B’ – that means ‘Bible and ball.’ It simply means you have to let divine ways guide you in everything that you do in order to achieve. Don’t be like that former Nigerian footballer they interviewed some years back and he confessed that he did a lot of juju in order to succeed, but it later backfired and affected his career.
“So, my final charge for you today is: Avoid juju, let divine ways guide you, follow Jesus and let your natural talent speak for you. God will bless you all as you allow Jesus Christ take control of your careers in football and life in general. Thank you.”
