Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State has approved the sum of N143m for the state owned Kebbi United Football Academy as year 2022/2023 operational fund.
A press statement signed by the Chairman of Kebbi State Football Association, Alhaji Abubakar Chika Ladan, stated that the Governor has mandated that the fund be used to cater for the Under-13,U-15, U-17, U-19 and U-23 players of the academy.
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According to the statement, the academy is working in collaboration with Break Management Agency of Portugal, which has been empowered by the state government to serve as a management consultant to the state football academy.
The academy, which was established in 2021 is expected to commence the promotion of players of Kebbi state origin to play in both international and national leagues for their personal development and also generate revenue for the state.
The state FA chairman also revealed that 12 players of Kebbi United and some players in the football academy had travelled to Europe and the Middle East for trials and the outcome is being awaited.
He also said “One of the players, Sulaiman Garba Kirki Jega, is currently with the National U-23 Team, the Olympic Eagles).”
In a related development, the state government also approved the release of N60m to Kebbi United to facilitate its promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The Nigeria National League (NNL) side is expected to use the approved funds judiciously to prosecute its matches in the 2022/2023 season with the aim of gaining promotion to the elite division.