Minister of Youth and sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, on Tuesday, in Port Harcourt, unveiled the Real Madrid Football Academy with an assurance that the institution would not only create jobs, but also produce world-class future stars.
The occasion was a convergence of a galaxy of stars on Port-Harcourt to be part of the significant development in football game in Nigeria.
Speaking on the occasion, Dare said: “From time immemorial, Rivers state had a reputation of producing notable people like the Great Jaja of Opobo, Alfred Diette Spiff, Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, foremost viriologist, Professor Tam David-West, two Sports Ministers Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas and Tammy Danagogo.
“In football, Sharks which metamorphosed to Rivers United had produced world acclaimed players.
“Today’s (Tuesday March 9, 2021) event is therefore not only ephocal, but also special and monumental.”
“I’m confident that The Real Madrid Academy PH will produce fantastic players like Paul Hamilton, Adokiye Amaesimaka, Jossy Dombraye, Taribo West, Furo Iyenemi and Nigeria’s most capped player, Joseph Yobo.
“The foundation for the actualisation of this dream has been laid today,” he was further quoted by CitizenNewsNg to have said.
The Minister continued: ”Although two Nigerians Emmanuel Amuneke and Gbenga Okunowo had played for Real Madrid”s bitter rivals Barcelona, no Nigerian has played for the Galaticos. The setting up of this institution could change that trajectory by producing new Ferenck Puskas, Santiago Bernabeur, Raul Gonzalez, Roberto Carlos, Zinedine zidane and Ronaldo.”
He stated that ”Since the main objective is to promote in Rivers State and Nigeria the values inherent in football as a profession, The Real Madrid Football Academy PH is an educational tool capable of contributing to the comprehensive development of our youth by creating jobs and wealth.
“It also in sync with our motive of combining education and sports which are inseparable.”
He assured the Rivers State Government of the support of the Federal Ministry of Youth and sports Development to ensure the implementation of the Academy’s mandate.
The Real Madrid Football Academy , PH, was founded in 2019 by the Governor of Rivers State, having been given the Franchise to operate by the Real Madrid Foundation.
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