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By Njoku Macdonald Obinna
As part of his avowed commitment to empower the youths and provide a platform for enthusiastic talented young footballers to showcase their skills, an Imo born Nigerian diplomat, business maverick, and uncommon philantropist, H.E Amb. Dr. Tochil Nwaneri, through his newly launched T-Ballers Initiative; the Tochil Football Academy, was on Sunday, June 30, 2024, officially opened its camp for a football screening exercise for Under 17 young soccer stars who came from far and near to participate in the ongoing trial at the Amiri- Central School Arena, Oru East LGA, Imo State.
Passion, enthusiasm, drive, and a renewed hope filled the football atmosphere as the young football sensations arrived at the Amiri- stadium for the screening in a 32 seater branded coaster bus single-handedly donated by the sponsor of Tochil Football Academy, Amb. Dr. Tochil Nwaneri.
The enthusiastic young soccer stars in their hundreds who came from Abuja, Lagos, Kogi, Benue, Delta, Anambra, Rivers, Enugu, and Imo States respectively, after proper documentations by the screening officers entered the pitch to display their talents as they hopefully seek to be selected into the Football Academy which is highly powered by Amb. Dr. Tochil Nwaneri.
According to the Publisher of 4th Estate Reporters, Njoku Macdonald Obinna, who is the Media Consultant of Tochil Football Academy; the screening exercise which was played in every 25 minutes before another set of players are given play time in the field had independent observers, members of the technical crew and seasoned football administrators who were carefully taking notes of the basic skills the young footballers possess; good football sense; speed, passing and receiving ball, shooting, decision making in the pitch, dribbling, heading, touch and ball control, skills and tricks, running off the ball and communication.
Speaking to 4th Estate Reporters, an Imo State based football administrator and analyst, Sampson Orji, maintained that at a new Football Academy during the screening exercise, we need young players with good football sense since receiving the ball correctly is the first step, which in turn can open up multiple options to make the right pass.Since a smooth transition can lead to promising attacking situations. Because if the pass is not great, there is a chance of losing the ball and handling the opposition the opportunity to counterattack. He says, these are a number of things that the luckily selected should also be taught at the Football Academy.
Rev. Fr. Izuchukwu Ibeh, Principal of St. Gregory College Amiri, Oru East LGA, Imo State, who came to motivate and pray for the young footballers, also commended Amb. Tochil Nwaneri for making himself a vessel of honour by providing a platform to empower hundreds of Nigerian youths, praying God to reward him for his labour of love and selfless community service.
The Coordinator and Manager of Tochil Football Academy, Mr. Ozurumba Ekene Tobias, during an interview with 4th Estate Reporters expressed satisfaction at the turn up and massive attendance of the football players and urged them to avail themselves of this rare opportunity to realize their dreams of becoming professional footballers.
Other Technical Committee members of the screening exercise included; Coach Danielle Ochike (Head Coach), Nnamdi Hebert, Emmanuel Adikaibe, and Fred Immaculate Amarachi (Secretary), all eulogised their illustrious son , Amb. Dr. Tochi Nwaneri, for providing such a great platform, which they described as a wonderful opportunity for youth empowerment as the ongoing exercise has a ripple effect and economic propensity of producing young millionaires.
Seasoned football administrators and sports writers who graced the opening ceremony of the screening exercise have informed that plans are on top gear as they are also optimistic that at the end of the 8 days exercise, the lucky talented footballers shall be absorbed into the academy as full structure and other basic facilities required for the smooth take- off are put in place .
At the Tochil Football Academy, we are poised towards grooming young football talents into global soccer sensations through constant training and competitions
