Real Madrid Academy will empower new football stars ---Gov Wike
Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike inspecting hostels and additional classrooms at the
Real Madrid Academy in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
(Nigeria) Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the Real Madrid Academy will empower upcoming football stars with the requisite formal education to effectively rule the sporting world.
Addressing journalists after inspecting ongoing construction
of hostels and additional classrooms at the Real Madrid Academy in Port
Harcourt on Thursday, Governor Wike said
several footballers were short changed in the past due to lack of formal
education.
He said: "We are combining education and football in this
Academy. We felt that while they are playing football, they should be educated.
So that those that may not make it, will continue with their education.
"While those who have made it in Football, will also have a formal education. Part of
the problem we have had, is that most of our footballers don't have formal
education. Sometimes, it affects them in
terms of negotiation and knowing what you are supposed to do."
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work at site
of the hostels and additional classrooms,
saying it is world class.
"I am quite impressed with the quality of structures of
hostels and additional classrooms. With what we are seeing, before the next academic session, this phase will be ready.
"This will be the best in Africa. I don't know any country in Africa that will
have this kind of facility", he said.
Governor Wike noted that sports is one of the outstanding
economy boosters, hence the commitment of his administration to use it as a
driving force to empower the youths.
He said: "Sports today is one of the key factors that
make a nation great. It attracts foreign exchange and the rest of it. I believe
that there are so many of our youths who are talented and they don't have the opportunity to bring out their
potentials.
"In trying to help our youths to bring out their
potentials, we should do it amongst the best. Real Madrid as far as I am
concerned is the best in the world. We felt that Rivers children should go for
the best.
"We thank God that Real Madrid agreed to partner with
us to establish an Academy here, which will make our children play in the best
teams of the world.
"Last time, we sent our children to have a feel of the
best when they went to Real Madrid. They
were all happy. You saw the kind of
football they exhibited when the Academy
was commissioned.
"Football is a great thing today. When I heard that
Neymar was sold for that huge amount of money , I don't think any other
profession will give you that kind of money. You can imagine the kind
of talents Brazil has exported and the kind of foreign exchange they have
attracted."
Governor Wike said that with the quality of investment by
his administration, he believes that the Real Madrid Academy will stand the
test of time, even after he has left
office.
He said: "This Academy will not only serve only
externally, it will also beef up our
local football clubs.
"I believe by the Grace of God . Government is a
continuum. I will do my best. I will
take it to the level that the world will
know about it. When I leave, I believe that those who will take over the
affairs of the reins of Government would continue.
"I cannot speak for who comes me. But I pray that the
standard we have set should not come low . As I place it at the world level , I
expect the person who will take over will continue to make it a world class
facility. "
Preliminary training programmes have started at the Real
Madrid Academy, which was commissioned
by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde
amid pomp and ceremony.
The Technical Staff of the Academy have been trained, while the first set of students have been
admitted and the official agreement between Rivers State Government and Real
Madrid signed in Madrid.
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