From Esther Akaa, Lafia
Spanish football scouts is to establish an academy in Nasarawa State where the state government will partner with major La Liga clubs in Spain to develop football and coaches in the state.
This was made known on Monday at Government House, Lafia when the state Governor, Abdullahi Sule, hosted a delegation of Spanish football scouts and managers.
Leader of the delegation, Ms. Gladys Stephens, said the team was in Nasarawa State to hunt for football talents and seek concrete partnership with the state government in football and human resource development.
Stephens said: “We are here at the instance of Salisu Galadima Basira for a talent hunt programme, as well as offer opportunity to grassroots footballers to actualize their dreams.
“Beyond this, we are proposing to establish a football academy in Nasarawa State where the state government will partner with major La Liga clubs in Spain to develop football and coaches in the state.
“Talents discovered and developed through the academy will be sent to clubs in Spain and Europe for further development and subsequent sale, while parts of the proceeds will come to the state government.
“These, among others, will go a long way in creating jobs and taking youth of the state off the streets and other social vices. It will also add to the revenue drive of the state.”
She stated that a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between Real Betis and the Nasarawa State government in Spain, to formalize the partnership.
She, therefore, disclosed that the state was the first to enjoy the opportunity, stressing that it was in view of the premium the Sule led administration places on sports development and youth empowerment.
In his remark, Governor Sule, thanked the facilitator of the programme, Salisu Galadima, who is the Chairman of Basira Football Club of Lafia and the delegation for bringing such a laudable project to the state.
“We thank Salisu Galadima (Basira) for inviting you to come and be part of this talent hunt, and thank you for selecting Nasarawa State to kickstart it.
“Every state has its own array of talents and potentials in sports, and I think this is an opportunity for our talented youth to showcase their potentials,” he said.
Governor Sule assured the delegation of government’s determination to provide level-playing ground for the project to be attained.
“Spain is known for their rich football culture, so also is Nigeria, which makes us have belief in your ability to achieve your goals.
“Already, we have a Sports Academy at Akwanga, and an array of gifted footballers. So, when you establish the Football Academy, that is where you know what manner of huge talents we have in our state.
“However, we feel highly delighted to partner with you in the establishment of the proposed Football Academy.
“So, when the MoU is ready, our Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, together with other critical stakeholders, will work with you, in order to arrive at a compromise,” he stated.
Earlier, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Lucky Isaac-Yargwa, welcomed the team to the state and pledged the support of the ministry.
The Voice reports that the scouting programme which is holding at the Area 3 Football Field, Abuja, is facilitated by Galadima, with over 200 grassroots talents participating from Nasarawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi and Kano States.