Kunle Adelabu
-Unveil 24 players
The drive of the representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA) to discover, nurture, and develop talented young footballers for successful careers in the sport, took a major turn with the registration of AMA Smile Football Academy.
This was announced in a statement by the Media Director/ Personal Assistant, Razaq Kabiru Babatunde, on Sunday.
The academy, according to him was established to provide promising young players with opportunities to develop their football skills, improve their competitive abilities, and pursue greater opportunities in professional football.
With a vision to create a pathway for talented players to progress from grassroots football to professional competition, AMA Smile Football Academy, has also set the targets of participating in the relevant categories of the Nigerian football league system in accordance with the regulations.
Meanwhile, the academy has shortlisted 24 players for its Under-18 (U-18) category with the selected players expected to form part of the foundation for the academy’s youth development programme.
The first set of players shortlisted for the AMA Smile Football Academy:
1. Adekunle Olashile
2. Adeleye Ibrahim
3. Akin Balogun
4. Babatunde Ayomide (Goalkeeper)
5. Atoyegbe Pelumi
6. Bello Mujeeb
7. Afolabi Ismail
8. Adedibu Quwam
9. Sanni Qoyum
10. Emmanuel Monday
11. Ogunleke Joseph
12. Oyebola Muiz
13. Alake Omotayo
14. Olagunju Adeboye (Goalkeeper)
15. Moses Victor
16. Oyekanmi Philip
17. Yusuf Tobiloba
18. Emmanuel Peter
19. Akinyemi Quadri
20. Gbadeyan Qudus
21. Adeotun Samuel
22. Egbafolorun Lateef
23. Mustapha Taiwo
24. Mustapha Kehinde
He further stated that AMA Smile Football Academy aims to establish a structured environment where young footballers can receive the guidance, training, and competitive exposure needed to advance their careers.
”Through the academy, the initiative seeks to support grassroots football development and provide talented young people with a platform to showcase their abilities and work towards opportunities in professional football.”
”The registration of the academy marks an important step towards building a sustainable football development programme capable of identifying promising players and preparing them for higher levels of competition.”
The AMA Smile Football Academy added in the statement, “With 24 players shortlisted for its U-18 category, AMA Smile Football Academy is set to begin building its foundation as it pursues its ambition of contributing to the future of Nigerian football.”
