Determined to catch them young, the WAM Football Academy, has moved its campaign of talent hunt to churches and mosques within the Isolo communities and its environs as part of efforts to promote grassroot soccer.
The latest campaign was part of strategies to reduce social vices and scouting for future footballers that would represent Nigeria at the national, continental and international levels of the round leather game.
Speaking on the development on Friday in Lagos, shortly after an executive meeting , Director General WAM Football Academy, Comrade Joel Farinloye stated that the campaign has no political or religious colouration adding that it was aimed to catch raw talents in the game of football for future purposes.
Farinloye reiterated that the academy is not requesting for cash or gifts from parents of the interested children pointing out that all necessary kits needed for training and other logistics will be provided by management of WAM Football Academy.
The DG also affirmed that aside the religious institutions on focus, WAM Football Academy will also scout for talents within the streets were grassroot football are played.
He said, “The brains behind the academy are patriotic and philanthropic Nigerians among who are former professional footballers, those from cooperate world and politicians determined to give the youths direction and disabuse their minds from crime.
“Other objectives behind the dream and formation of WAM football Academy are to effectively build resilience, tolerance and respect among these adolescents and youths through sports.
“Looking at the realities on ground in Nigeria today, our youths feel alienated. WAM Academy is coming into the communities ro bring empowerment as well as enhance health education and social inclusion”,he stressed.
According to him, plans are also afoot to engage both government and private schools next year adding that “This will enable us catch them young. We want to get quality and we are targeting youths to benefit from this project.
Farinloye further stated that the some schools are already partnering the academy on the best way out in achieving greatness in the game of football.
“Our objective is not centred on one but to catch them young. We will compile names of schools in the community . We have a focus and we will definitely achieve what we are out to achieve”,he said.
