Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has awarded 50 million naira to players and coaches of the state-sponsored Real Madrid Academy. The award was given following their participation in an international football tour of Southampton, United Kingdom. The governor announced the reward when the academy's management, officials, and players visited him at Government House on Friday in Port Harcourt to present a trophy they won during the tour.
The delegation comprised 60 students and 12 staff members who participated in the international football engagement. This provided the young players with an opportunity to develop their skills, gain international exposure, and experience football beyond their immediate environment. Governor Fubara commended the academy's management and officials for their commitment to nurturing young talents.
The governor particularly applauded the students for their discipline and good conduct throughout the trip. He acknowledged that the academy, which combines academic education with structured football training, was established by his predecessor. However, he stressed that his administration would sustain the initiative, explaining that the continuity of beneficial programmes should not be determined by who initiated them.
Governor Fubara emphasized his commitment to policies and projects capable of improving the socio-economic well-being of the people, irrespective of the administration under which they began. He also pledged to immediately commence efforts to address the academy's infrastructure and funding challenges. The governor assured the management that the government would work towards creating a more conducive environment for the students to pursue their academic and sporting ambitions.
During the visit, Governor Fubara urged the young players to take both their education and football training seriously. He noted that while professional football offers significant financial opportunities, academic qualifications remain important for their future. The governor highlighted the enormous economic potential of the global football industry, encouraging the students to recognize the opportunities available to talented players who combine discipline, hard work, and determination.
The international tour aimed to expose the students to the realities of football on the global stage, broaden their outlook, and build their confidence to compete beyond their local environment. Governor Fubara expressed satisfaction with reports that some of the academy's players had attracted interest from international football teams seeking to recruit them. He described such developments as encouraging signs of the opportunities that international exposure could create for the young talents.
Other officials, including Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma, the academy's principal, Prudence Isaac-Harry, and the tour facilitator, former Super Eagles player Ida Peterson, commended Governor Fubara for sustaining government sponsorship of the academy and supporting the students' participation in the international football programme.
Key points
- The Rivers State Government has awarded 50 million naira to the Real Madrid Academy for their participation in an international football tour.
- Governor Siminalayi Fubara emphasized the importance of education and football training for the young players.
- The academy will receive support to address infrastructure and funding challenges.
