NFF executive board member hails first private football academy in Ondo

Executive Board Member of Nigeria Football Federation, Otunba Dele Ajayi, has urged parents and guardians to take advantage of new football academy, Benlab Global Football Club in Ondo State, to build the football career of their children.

Ajayi also solicited more support for the academy, to achieve the goal of catching them young.

Our correspondent reports that the football academy combines football with academic activities.

Ajayi, who is also the Chairman of Ondo State FA, stated this at the unveiling of the academy at the Ondo State Sports complex, Akure on Friday.

“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.

“When you look at teams at the national level, majority of their players are from the academy, we pray to God to help him to sustain the lofty idea,” he said.

Former Sunshine Stars Technical Adviser, Henry Abiodun, commended the initiator of the football school for his vision.

He added that It was a big relief that one of the sons of the soil had the initiatives to venture into huge football business.

“I have always canvassed that football is not a charity but a pure business.

“Most coaches think that their job ends on the field. It’s a very good idea from him to have thought of having a football school in Akure, it’s a very good thing for other coaches to emulate,” he said.

The President of Benlab Global Football Club, Banjo Adepoju, disclosed that it had been God all the while, saying the rationale behind the founding of the school was the fact that majority of Nigerian players did not have school certificates.

“We partner with UBAY Kings international to give potential players adequate education, training and exposed them to modern day football technology at the grassroots,” he said.

About 21 players have already enrolled in the school.