Sports
RMFA Ends Screening In PH …As Parents Express Excitement
Real Madrid Football Academy (RMFA) in Port Harcourt on Wednesday rounded off her screening to admit students for the next academic session.
The three- day screening was successful as young talented players between the ages of eight and 13 trooped into Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt and displayed their skills.
It was highly competitive and selection of players seemed to be challenging for the coaches following the quality of play from the kids. The coaches were impressed and excited. However, two brothers that chose football as their career, Master Udoka Kester, a fan of Lionel Messi, and his brother, Udoka Clinton who sees Cristiano Ronaldo as his idol, both passed the screening process but are waiting for the final result.
Rivers State Government established the Real Madrid Academy to develop sports particularly football not only in the State but in Nigeria at large. This academy combines football and academics as the best players would have the opportunity to play for Real Madrid in Spain.
Interestingly, the kids who hail from Delta State, came all the way from Abuja their base for the screening. Their father, Mr. Ekeamaka Udoka, said he would like to see his children play football like their mentors.
“I think this is an opportunity for my children to gain admission into the Real Madrid Football Academy. They have chosen to play football and I will not deny them that,” he said.
Speaking, one of the parents , Mr Diepriye John, who was at the screening described the process as one of the best because it was transparent and without bias.
“I am impressed with the way and manner the screening process was conducted, even though my son was not selected. I will not bother but I know he will make the list.
“ However, I still know that there will be what we call man know man. Even though the process is transparent, sometimes, those who merit it would not make the final list,” he said.
By: Tonye Orabere
Vice president of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), Chief Solomon Ogba, foremost Sports Marketer and founder of Okpekpe Road Race, Mike Itemuagbor and top Sports Journalist and Media Strategist, Mitchel Obi have lent their voices in support of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF).
The personalities with backgrounds in sports administration, marketing and media spoke separately in commendation of the festival, an initiative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with Dunamis Icon as consultants.
“This is a positive addition to the evolving sports business ecosystem because it is not just a springboard for identifying talents, it also offers a platform to truly hone the skills of those already discovered”, remarked Obi, who served as Special Advisor to a former Sports Minister, late Anthony Ikhazabor.
He said the festival will be a flagship event in the region that would trigger interest in sports among the youths and people of the region.
Edo State-born Itemuagbor commended the NDDC for the decision to add sports in the list of their intervention projects in the region, adding that: “This speaks directly to the problem of youth restiveness which is of great concern to our people.”
Raphael Onyedika has now emerged as a major doubt for the Super Eagles’ must-win 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
The midfielder was forced out early from last week’s league game against Standard Liege.
He has not recovered from the injury and so will miss today’s league match against Gent and may also miss a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Aston Villa yesterday.
The Super Eagles take on Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, before they face Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later in crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Al-Khalood defender, William Troost-Ekong, has shared his experience on the difficulties of winning the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) while describing it a must win trophy.
The former Watford FC defender has competed in the tournament three times but has yet to lift the trophy.
“I’ve been there three times now, bronze medal, silver medal, but I haven’t had the chance to win it. That remains my ultimate goal,” he told Tidesports source.
“It means so much to me and all the kids growing up in Africa and Nigeria.”