As part of its mandate to export Nigerian goods, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council has partnered an Egyptian football academy (GP777 Academy) to scout and export young Nigerian footballers across 36 states of the federation to Europe.
Speaking at the event in Abuja yesterday, the Executive Director and CEO of NEPC, Dr. Ezra Yakusak said the collaboration was part of the Youth for Export Programme designed to address the challenges of youth restiveness by encouraging youth participation in the non-oil export value chain, as part of the Council’s Export for Survival campaign.
“This football talent hunt is therefore one of the strategies adopted to mainstream the youths in export activities through the Youth for Export Programme. Our country has produced some of the most talented and successful football players in the world. However, we believe that there are many more talented young people in our country whose skills are yet untapped.
“The initiation of this nationwide football talent hunt programme is to identify and develop young footballers with exceptional skills and nurture them to become world-class players,” Dr. Yakusak explained.
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Also speaking, the CEO of Showcase Cairo, Marc Bautista CEO, said the choice of Nigeria was strategic owing to the huge football potential that is untapped in the country.
“I have been in Nigeria for the past two months and have noticed great young players that can play good football in Europe, as such, we are partnering with the government to harness these talents today
“At the end of the event, we hope to take at least 150 players to Egypt where about 7 European football scouts in Spain and England such as Real Betis, Manchester United, Stoke City among others will be waiting to take them,” he said
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