…says the academy ‘ll produce world class stars

By Babs Oyetoro
It was a galaxy of meeting of stars in Port-Harcourt on Tuesday  when Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare  unveiled  the Real Madrid  Football Academy  with an assurance that the institution  would not only create jobs, but produce world class  future stars.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Dare said: ” From time immemorial, Rivers state had a reputation of producing notable people like the Great Jaja of Opobo, Alfred Diette Spiff, Justice Karibe White, foremost  viriologist Professor Tam David West, two Sports Ministers Alabo Graham Douglas and Tammy Danagogo. In football, Sharks which metamorphosed to Rivers United had produced world acclaimed players.

“Today’s event is therefore not only ephocal, but Special and monumental. I’m  confident that The Real Madrid Academy 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”.

The Minister  further said: ” Although  two Nigerians Emmanuel  Amuneke and Gbenga Okunowo  had played for  Real Madrid  bitter rivals of 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.”

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Mr Dare affirmed  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 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 ensuring  the implementation  of the Academy’s  mandate.

It would be recalled that The Real Madrid Football Academy, was founded in 2019 by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike having been given the Franchise to operate by the Real Madrid Foundation.