Federal Government Backs Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy for Youth Development

In a significant show of support for youth empowerment through sports, the Federal Government has endorsed the Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy. This gesture is aimed at discovering and nurturing young football talents across Nigeria. According to the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, represented by his Special Adviser on Public Engagement, Omoleye Adedoyin, the academy serves as a vital platform for identifying and developing young talents. The minister emphasized the government's commitment to backing initiatives that empower young Nigerians and create opportunities for them through sports. 'Being here today is an opportunity for me, and it shows that there are people committed to football and sports, and we want our young children to grow and be proud of us,' Olawande stated. The minister further noted that the academy provides a stepping stone for young players to hone their skills and potentially become future stars of the Super Eagles. Moses Ebute, SAN, who chaired the occasion, expressed optimism about the academy's potential to produce players capable of representing Nigeria at the highest level. He urged the young players to remain disciplined and committed to their development. The Chairperson of the football club, Ngozi Ikenga, revealed that the academy was established in July 2023, following the vision of her late daughter, Onyeka Ikenga, who was passionate about using football to empower young people. The unveiling of the Under-17 team was held on Onyeka's posthumous birthday to sustain her legacy. One of the academy's Under-17 players has secured an opportunity to travel to Saudi Arabia to join a football club. The academy's football development programme is set to become an annual event. The Director of Sports of the Onyeka Ikenga Football Club, Lawrence Ikenga, stated that the academy was established to develop young people through football, with professional and FIFA-certified coaches and scouts involved in identifying promising players. The event featured a novelty match between a selected Under-17 team and the Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy, which the academy won 5-0. In the Under-13 tournament, Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy defeated Karu Football Academy 2-0 in the final, winning N200,000 and a trophy. Effiong Nfonso of Karu Football Academy emerged as the tournament's highest goal scorer with four goals, while Ijere Ijere of Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy was named Best Goalkeeper.