The 2013 FOSLA U-13 football championship holds next month at the FOSLA Academy, Karshi with over 150 youth players from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) expected to compete for the Sani Lulu Abdullahi annual scholarship award. Ten outstanding players of the tournament will be awarded scholarship worth N7.2 million of N725, 000 per player by the former NFF boss to combine football with education at the FOSLA International Academy in Karshi, Abuja.
Briefing newsmen yesterday in Abuja ahead of the tournament, acting chairman of FOSLA Academy board, Dr John Ogbadu said the players must be within the age range of 13 years. “The players who must be within the age range of 13 years and must be in primary 6 would be sponsored all through their secondary and possibly tertiary education,” he said.
The successful players are expected to resume their studies at the FOSLA Academy in Karshi alongside other fees paying students next academic session.
He said FOSLA Academy emerged to provide an avenue for youths that are naturally endowed in football to have a congenial platform to develop their talents and receive comprehensive college education. According to him, the school is also programmed to mould students into leaders in the game, patriotic, resourceful and ingenious world citizens who will be unbounded in their desire to excel.
He said to ensure that the students achieve their desired excellence in football; the school has played 15 high profile 15 friendly matches winning 12 and drawing three.
He enjoined politicians, private organisations and philanthropists to sponsor students who are eager to combine sports with education to the school. “There are many opportunities where private persons and politicians can leverage on and contribute to the development of football and also empower youth. The politicians instead of buying guns and give youths for thugery? can sponsor youths from their community to the school to develop their football skills and receive comprehensive college education,” he said.
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