Abuja, Sept. 8, 2024 (NAN) The Minister of Sports, John Owan-Enoh, the Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Gbenga Elegbeleye as well as other football stakeholders have thrown their weight in support of the Nigeria Youth League Cup.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the various football stakeholders pledged their support for the league on the sidelines of the Nigeria Youth League Gala/Awards Night held over the weekend in Abuja.
The Minister of Sports Development, John Owan-Enoh told newsmen that he was very interested in any initiative which borders on grassroots sports development in the country, adding that the Ministry would give its full support to the Nigeria Youth League Cup.
Enoh who was represented by Orok Effanga, a Special Adviser to the Minister on Strategy said that collaboration with Organisers of the Nigeria Youth League Cup was a no brainer, as it was one which was very dear to both the Minister and the Ministry.
“In this case, we are talking grassroots football development, even though we supritend over all other sports.
“But when we find partnerships or collaborations with organisations, bodies or individuals that we can partner with to develop our sports at the grassroots all the way to the elite level, that’s something which is a no brainer to the Minister as well as the ministry of Sports Development.
“We are always going to throw our weight behind those kind of initiatives and the Nigeria Youth League Cup is one of those initiatives that when we saw, we thought that it was a great idea which provides a great platform for our young football players to showcase their talents and hone their skills and go on to compete at the highest level,” he said.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Gbenga Elegbeleye said when the idea of the N-Youth League Cup was presented to him, he found it an attractive asset that would help boost the quality of the NPFL.
Elegbeleye who was represented by Dalandi Ibrahim, the Secretary of the NPFL said that the emergence of the N-Youth League Cup would not only assist the young players with a platform to showcase their talents, but would ensure that some of these players add quality to the NPFL.
“The NPFL’s support for the N-Youth League Cup started last year in Saudi Arabia during the African World Football Summit.
“This was the first time we had a contact with the organiser and sincerely it was an attractive asset that we believed would ginger the NPFL and that was why we gave our full support to the programme.
“If you look at the Nigerian football scene at the moment, it is full of various academies, but there is no platform to showcase their talents to clubs abroad and of course even to our national clubs here,” he said.
Robinson Adakosa, President and Founder of
the Nigeria Youth League Cup stressed that its objective was to create a league that not only hones the skills of the country’s young players but also prepares them for the professional world, both on and off the field.
“The Nigeria Youth League Cup is not just a competition; it is a technology-driven league that will utilize state-of-the-art cameras, software applications, and equipment across 841 games during the 2024/2025 season.
“This innovation raises the operational cost to 4 billion Naira, but it also ensures that we are setting the highest standards for youth football in Africa,” he said.
Adakosa noted that the league was borne out of a deep desire to channel the country’s football passion into a structured platform, adding that the league was a vision that had been close to his heart for many years.
“Football, as we all know, is more than just a game in Nigeria-it is a unifying force, a passion that transcends barriers of language, religion, and culture.It is a source of pride, joy, and, for many, the embodiment of hope.
“So, I decided to come up with a platform that will not only showcase the incredible talent that abound in Nigeria, but also provide a professional pathway for our young athletes to achieve their dreams on the world stage,” he said.
He called on sponsors from corporate bodies, private institutions as well as philanthropists to come on board and help drive the process so as to create a legacy that will endure for generations to come.
He noted that their contributions would go a long way in helping the organisers cover essential costs, organize impactful events, and, most importantly, invest in the future of our youth.
“We are not just here to raise funds;
we are here to invest in the future of Nigerian football, to sow the seeds of greatness in the hearts of our youth, and to create a legacy that will endure for generations to come.
“As we gather in this beautiful venue, we are surrounded by individuals and organizations who believe in this vision.
“Your presence here is a testament to your commitment to the future of
Nigerian football, and I cannot express how grateful I am for your support.
“But we are just at the beginning of this journey, and to bring this vision to life, we need your continued partnership,” he said. (NAN)
