In a bid to discover and groom future football stars for Nigeria, the African Children Talent Discovery Foundation, (ACTDF), over the weekend embarked on talent hunt and mentorship of talented Nigerian youths in Bauchi state.
The event was glamored with a novelty football match between ‘Superstars Friends of Dallaji’ and ‘Bauchi All Stars FC’ both teams comprised world’s international superstars such as Daniel Amokachi , JJ Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Taribo West, Emmanuel Emenike, Austin Equavon, amongst many others.
The President and founder ACTD Engr. Noah Dallaji who spoke on the project said the initiative was birthed from his passion for the youths. He averred that the impact Nigerian football stars have made in the past has inscribed their names globally in the sands of history. He further explained that there is no gender disparity as females are also incorporated in the project.
“We have enormous talent in this country and most of them are discouraged because they don’t have the connection it takes to bring them to public limelight. All they need is a platform and that is why we are making it available for them. I believe that this programme will give birth to eleven players who in the nearest future will win the world cup for Nigeria”, he said.
Explaining further Dallaji said: “The idea is to nurture and develop talented players, we have some that are now playing in the academy if not for the outbreak of the Corona-virus they would have been included in the under-17 world cup. We are working with some European teams, we are also working with an academy in Sweden. We are giving them the platform so that they can be incorporated to showcase their talent and I want to assure you it is basically on merit. We will bring in every name that is globally recognized in the game of football, to this annual event”.
The ACTDF boss said though he is from Bauchi state but the project will not be limited to indigenes of Bauchi state alone.
“We are sponsoring young people across the nation about 36 young people have been selected across the nation. I decided to host this event it in my home town as you know charity begins at home”, he said.