Football stakeholders in Ondo state has thrown their weight behind the newly ingaurated football academy in the state, Benald Global football academy while urging parents to take express advantage of building their wards football career.
First of it’s kind, on Friday in a well attended event at the Ondo state sports complex, Akure, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) executive board member who also double as FA state Chairman, Otunba Dele Ajayi in his remarks commended the founder coach Banjo Adepoju for his ingenuity in floating the academy.
“We will put everything in place to support the president of the school and we are also appealing to the state government to also support him in a bid to achieve the desired result for the interest of developing football in the state.”
When you look at teams in the national level majority of their players are from the Academy, we pray God will help him to sustain the lofty idea”, Otunba said.
During the inauguration of the academy and unveiling of multimillion naira sports equipment, the General manager Ondo sports council, Mr Henry Babatunde gave his assurance that the state sports umbrella will continue to support the intiative.
He said: “This is really encouraging as we have no doubt that this will go a long way to harness more hidden talents in the state and we are assuring you of our unflinching supports at all time”.
Former Sunshine Stars Technical Adviser, Henry Abiodun commended the initiator of the football school for his vision.
He added that It’s a big relief that one of the sons of the soil have the initiatives to venture into huge football business.
“I have always canvas that football is not a charity but a pure business”.
“Most coaches think that their job end on the field. It’s a very good idea and thoughtful of developing a football school in Akure, its’ worthy of emulation by other coaches”.
Earlier in his address, President of Benlard Global Academy, Coach Banjo Adepoju said the platform will provide opportunity for prospective footballers within and outside the state to be empowered academically while pursuing their football career.
“We partner with UBAY Kings international College to give potential players adequate education, training and exposed them to modern day football technology at the grassroots,”he stated.
Other dignitaries present at the occasion include, Sunshine stars team coordinator and manager, Tokunbo Akinyelure and Seun Betiku, State FA members, NPFL players, among others.
No fewer than 21 players were unveiled as pioneers.
