John Egbokhan
13 October 2008
Olympic silver medal Wnner, Coach Samson Siasia is optimistic that the Sia One Soccer Academy, will quicken the development of the game in the country and beyond.
Speaking last Thursday in Lagos, where he unfolded his dream of piloting a world class soccer academy styled after what is obtainable in developed countries, the Olympic silver medal winner, said he resolved to diversify his energy into youth development due to the dearth of budding talents in the land.
"After many years of association with the game, I think time has come for me to run a world class soccer academy for the harnessing of budding talents in the country.
"The primary objective of the academy is to provide the best training and developmental facilities for our youths so that they can become world class players, who would be at home with the acceptable world practices of the game. I desire for this academy to become a model for others in the country," added the 1994 Nations Cup winner.
He said that plans are afoot to secure a wide mass of land in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, so that the construction of the academy can begin in earnest, adding that due to the national nature of the task that he has been seeking audience with President Umaru Yar' Adua, in the area of land acquisition.
"This project is not about me, in fact it is more than me because it is about providing a secured future for our youths, who are in dire need of improved lifestyle and knowing the attachment that our youths attach to football, it is only responsible for us to toe the line of sustainable development, which does not occur by chance," said the former Super Eagles striker.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Vanguard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
