Super Falcons forward, and nominee for the prestigious Sócrates Award, Asisat Oshoala, reflects on the impact of her football academy, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Barcelona Femeni forward, nominated for the Socrates Award for her humanitarian contribution outside of football, revealed that the goal of organizing the academy is to make the young girl child understand that their dreams are achievable.
The 28-year-old, who will tackle the likes of Vinicius, Marcus Rashford and a host of others for the award, established a football academy that significantly earned her the Ballon d'Or nomination.
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The Asisat Oshoala Academy, established in Nigeria, aims to provide access to high-quality football training and life skills education for its beneficiaries, empowering young women and transforming them into role models for their communities.
Speaking about the academy, Oshoala said, “The Academy has been really doing well, to be honest, the girls are growing and we are just a year old, and we are about to start our second season very soon. Now they are on break enjoying and cooling off.”
She further emphasized the goal of the academy, stating, “To be honest, the goal is to help these kids understand that their dreams are achievable. And to also give them the platform to showcase their talent, which is what we are doing so far. There are also some girls that are very dedicated to their passion, and I am really excited for the future.”
Oshoala admitted feeling a sense of jealousy towards the academy's beneficiaries, remarking, “Sometimes I get jealous of them because, you know why? I didn't get that opportunity while I was growing up. I didn't have someone to look up to or set up something for us to go to. I only got the opportunity to play in FC Robo, which is a pre-existing team.”
She went on to emphasize the importance of changing the mindset of these young footballers and guiding them towards success, saying, “I think these kids, the most important thing is to change their mindset and make them understand that what they have in their head is actually achievable, and they just need to stay focused and work hard and show them the right path to success.”
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Oshoala's dedication to empowering young girls through her academy showcases her commitment to the future of Nigerian football. With her continued efforts, she aims to inspire and nurture the talents of aspiring female footballers, paving the way for a brighter future in the sport.
The Barcelona Femeni forward, nominated for the Socrates Award for her humanitarian contribution outside of football, revealed that the goal of organizing the academy is to make the young girl child understand that their dreams are achievable.