The Rivers State Government has officially unveiled the state-owned Real Madrid Football Academy in Port Harcourt.
The unveiling was done in the presence of officials of Real Madrid Football Club and Rivers Government on Saturday.
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who inaugurated the academy, also unveiled the ultra-modern football training facility.
Pointing out that sports was one of the greatest unifying factors in Nigeria, Makinde noted that by developing the Real Madrid Academy, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike was promoting national unity.
He expressed confidence that the Academy would raise the next generation of football stars.
“This project will allow the early discovery and harnessing of football talents in Rivers.
“There has always been great football talents from Rivers. Great players like Taribo West, George Finidi and Joseph Yobo. This project will create more stars”
Makinde commended his Rivers counterpart for his commitment to the development of the state.
Gov. Wike in his address, described the unveiling of the Academy as one of the happiest events of his life as it marked the beginning of a new Era in football.
He said: “Today is one of the happiest days of my life. Today, our dream has come to fruition by the help of God.”
Wike said that 70 per cent of the students of the Academy would be from Rivers, while Nigerians from other parts would make up the remaining 30 per cent.
“The money used to execute this project is from Rivers. Therefore, Rivers money is for Rivers people. Seventy per cent of the students will be indigenes of Rivers, while the remaining 30 percent will be from other states.
“All Rivers indigenes to be trained in the Academy will school here free of charge,’’ he said.
Area Manager of Real Madrid Foundation for Africa and Middle East, Inigo Vallejo, in his comments, assured the Rivers State Government that the club would continue to support the academy’s sustained development.
He said after series of engagement with Gov. Wike on the Academy, the club has keyed into it and would help drive the project.
High point of the event included an exhibition match between a selected team and Banham Model Primary School in Port Harcourt, who were winners of Channels Television Kids Cup
