Aiedu Football Academy (AFA), a new sports talent nurturing outfit, kicked of in Lafiagi, Kwara, with a dedication to cultivating local football talent and nurturing young individuals in their pursuit of professional aspirations, Daily Independent has been told.
During the event, hosted at the Lafiagi Township Stadium in Edu Local Government Area, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the academy, Mr. Aliyu Isa-Aiedu, expressed his preparedness to invest in grassroots football as a means of empowering youth and preventing delinquency.
Aiedu, an entrepreneur based in the United States, articulated his ambition to foster budding footballers, equip them for global opportunities, and furnish them with a platform to represent Nigeria on an international scale.
Emphasizing the transformative influence of football, he characterized it as a universal language that unifies youth from diverse backgrounds.
“Football transcends mere recreation; it serves as a mechanism for engaging young individuals and fostering communal advancement,” he remarked.
Aiedu disclosed that the groundwork for the academy had been laid over a span of seven months, with the objective of affording aspiring footballers the opportunities that he himself lacked as a young athlete in Nigeria.
“I once harbored grand ambitions as a local player, yet the pathway to success eluded me.
“Presently, having resided in a nation where private entities significantly contribute to sports development, I am devoted to aiding young talents in Kwara in realizing their aspirations,”Aiedu appended.
He pledged that the academy would be accessible to players of all backgrounds, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or societal standing, to ensure inclusivity and equitable opportunities.
In his discourse, the Director of Football, Dr. Ndanuza Manzuma, expressed sanguinity regarding the academy’s future, asserting its aim to emerge as a prominent talent reservoir in Nigeria.
“We are resolute in propelling AFA to greater heights. We enjoy the unwavering support of the Kwara State Football Association, the media, and key sports stakeholders in this endeavor,”he declared.
Manzuma guaranteed that the academy’s framework and initiatives would yield top-tier players capable of representing Nigeria in global competitions.
To commemorate the academy’s unveiling, AFA triumphed over Ilorin-based Dolly P Academy FC with a score of 2-0 in a riveting exhibition match.
Goals from Mohammed Babawo in the 35th minute and Mubarak Musiliu in the 61st minute secured victory for the home team, offering a glimpse of the academy’s potential in nurturing young football prodigies.
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