By Nelson Dafe on January 28, 2016

The southern Delta State town of Ughelli will be the cynosure of football-loving eyes in and around the state as under-17 footballers gather for trial sessions regarding an upcoming football tournament in the United Kingdom.

The screening/trial exercises are being conducted by Ughelli-based Fresh Talents Academy. Daily Sports gathered that 16 successful players will be representing the academy and Nigeria at an international youth football competition in the British city of Milton Keynes (home to MK Dons FC who play Chelsea in the English FA Cup this weekend) in August of this year.

A spokesman for Fresh Talents Football Development Benjamin Odudu said: “The Fresh Talents football development screening coming up on Thursday, 28th January, at Eruemukowhonie in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State is basically for national under-17 category.

“Fresh Talents football development is looking to screen 16 talented players to the August UK tournament taking place in the beautiful city of Milton Keynes, home to the MK Dons, in August 2016.

“Players within the ages of 16-17 years are expected to come for this big event. The venue for screening is Eruemukowhonie sports ground (Adagwe Grammar School sports ground Eruemukowhonie) in Ughelli North local government area of Delta State. The screening will last Thursday 28th January to 1st February 2016.”

Odudu advised players not to overlook what he described as lifetime opportunity. “There is a sponsor awaiting the players who will take care of every cost and welfare of the best selected players as regards the aforementioned championship in the UK,” he disclosed.

Daily Sports reports that, to make the players comfortable in Ughelli, arrangements have been made to check them into good hotel rooms during the trial days.

Players are expected to arrive today, January 28, from all over Nigeria.

Benjamin Odudu was the chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the Gen. David Ejoor national football tournament, a hugely successful football tournament that took place in Ughelli and Warri City Stadium in Delta State last year.

The tournament was hailed for its super organisation, as all the promised rewards to teams and individual star performers were duly presented. These included a 500,000 naira cash gift for winners and other monetary rewards for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed teams, as well as full set of brand new jerseys for the top eight clubs.

It is this honesty that Odudu hopes to help ensure as a member of the screening exercise for players into the Fresh Talent Academy so that Nigeria can have a solid representation in the UK later in the year.

“There will be no sentiments or discrimination (during the screening exercise) because we want the best. I urge all young players who believe they are good to give this a try so that their lives would be changed forever,” he said.

Odudu added that the objective of Future Stars academy is not only to win the tournament in the UK, but also to help motivate youths to leave behind a life of restiveness and seize this opportunity to be better role models of their communities.

•Photo shows Future Stars Academy Spokesman Benjamin Odudu (left) with first military governor of the then Midwestern State, Gen. David Ejoor (rtd.), during the David Ejoor Cup opening match in Ughelli, Delta State, last August.

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 28, 2016

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