The dream of having a soccer school of Spanish La Liga giants, FC Barcelona, in Lagos has finally come to reality with the unveiling of a road-map for the taking off of the soccer academy on September 17.
The academy, FC Bescola International Soccer School, will have its temporary site at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere.
The FC Bescola Lagos is one out of 22 FC Barcelona soccer schools spread across different countries of the world and the first in Africa.
The school will train children between ages of six and 18 on FC Barcelona’s style of play, the culture and ways of life of one of the successful football clubs in the world.
The road-map, which was kicked off with selection of 50 Nigerian coaches, aggressive marketing campaign in television, digital and media plan, players tryouts and finally public presentation of FC Bescola Lagos on September 17.
The Special Adviser on Sports to the Governor of Lagos State, Deji Tinubu; the Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, who is also Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi; the Project Manager for FC Barcelona in Europe and Africa Football Schools, Inaki Gonzallo; Blaugrana Sports International CEO, Leslie Oghomienor; and the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Ayodele Agbesanwa, attended the launch.
Tinubu, who is the Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, said a high powered delegation from FC Barcelona had in February this year visited Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State to inform him of the club’s desires to establish the academy in Lagos, adding that the Governor graciously approved and directed that all support be given to see the realization of the project.
“FC Bescola Lagos will kick start proper football development in the state. FC Barcelona have the value, style and culture which they guide jealously, and I’m so glad that all the children in the academy will have everything FC Barcelona value in them,” Tinubu said.
He, however, promised to sponsor 10 pupils when the soccer school takes off in September.
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