By Aderonke Ojo
The Federal Government has thrown its weight behind the newly unveiled Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy, saying the initiative will provide a platform to discover and develop Nigeria’s next generation of football stars.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, stated this at the unveiling of the academy’s Under-17 team, in Abuja.
Olawande, represented by his Special Adviser on Public Engagement, Omoleye Adedoyin, said the initiative demonstrated the commitment of individuals and stakeholders to football development and youth empowerment.
“Being here today is an opportunity for me. Being right here shows that there are people who are committed to football and sports, and we want our young children to grow and be proud of us,” he said.
He said the academy would enable young footballers to showcase their abilities, develop their skills and pursue professional careers.
“This is a platform where talents can be identified. There are also many young people who are willing to do more.
“From here, it is a stepping stone for them to go higher and put into practice whatever they have learned,” he said.
Performing the unveiling, Olawande commended the Ikenga family for transforming Onyeka’s passion for football into a youth development initiative.
The Chairman of the occasion, Moses Ebute, SAN, expressed optimism that the academy would produce future Super Eagles players and internationally recognised football stars.
“I am proud of this organisation because I know that, by God’s grace, some of the products of this academy will end up at the Super Eagles level, and one day they will turn around to become stars of this world,” he said.
He challenged the young players to help Nigeria return to the FIFA World Cup and eventually win the competition, while urging them to maintain discipline and sportsmanship.
“I don’t want anybody to leave here with a fracture or dislocation because there will be a tomorrow,” he said.
Ngozi Ikenga, mother of the late Onyeka and Chairperson of the football club, said the academy was established in July 2023 because of her daughter’s dream of empowering young people through football.
“Onyeka Ikenga was a very good football lover. In fact, she was the visionary behind this project because she started the academy before she passed away,” she said.
Ikenga said the official launch and unveiling of the Under 17 Team was deliberately held on Onyeka’s posthumous birthday to honour her memory and sustain her legacy.
She disclosed that one of the academy’s Under-17 players had secured an opportunity to travel to Saudi Arabia to join a football club through the academy.
Onyeka assured that the project would be sustained as an annual initiative, saying, “It is something that has come to stay.”
According to her, Onyeka was passionate about building young people and creating opportunities for them to develop their talents and succeed in life.
The Director of Sports of the Onyeka Ikenga Football Club, Lawrence Ikenga, said the academy was focused on youth development through football.
He said professional and FIFA-certified coaches, alongside scouts, were involved in identifying outstanding talents during the competition.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured a novelty match between a selected Under-17 Team and the Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy, with the academy recording a 5-0 victory.
The Under-13 tournament also featured 10 teams that competed. In the semi-finals, Young Eaglet played a 1-1 draw with Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy before losing 2-1 on penalties.
While Karu Football Academy (KFA) defeated De Baggio FC 4-0, De Baggio later defeated Young Eaglet Academy 3-1 in the third-place match.
In the final, Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy defeated KFA 2-0 to win the championship.
The winners received a trophy and N200,000, while KFA received N100,000 and a trophy, with De Baggio receiving N50,000.
Effiong Nfonso of KFA emerged as the highest goal scorer with four goals, while Ijere Ijere of Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy was named Best Goalkeeper.
William Ikenga of Ikenga FC won the Most Valuable Player award.
NAN reports that the academy was established as a lasting tribute to Onyeka Ikenga, who died following a brief illness on Jan. 11, 2024.
Her family said the academy was created to preserve her passion for football while nurturing young talents and promoting discipline, teamwork, integrity, resilience and excellence.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh