Founder, African Children Talent Discovery Foundation (ACTDF), Noah Dallaji, has promised that the body will continue to provide the platform for talented youths in football to make the best use of their skills.
Speaking at the end of a two-day talent hunt and mentoring programme organised by the foundation at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, Dallaji noted the challenges youths face in the developing their talents, but assured that the ACTDF will continue to provide the platform for such talented young people to realise their ambition if they are determined to do so.
He affirmed that many Nigerian youths have talents and as such the ACTDF was out to discover such talents, adding that the mentoring element of the programme was important since it would give them the needed inspiration.
“Many Nigerians are talented, only waiting to have a platform, a ladder, they can climb and that ladder has come. We are here to show the world that Nigeria will be better.
“So our objective is to support their talents but they need to first be discovered and determined. It’s their choice. This is what we are doing to provide that important ladder to climb and be useful to themselves, their families and country,” he said.
The event, which is part of the Noah Dallaji Legacy Project covering music, entertainment and the arts, had football as main interest in its second edition. Talents of 16 and 18 years were selected and mentored by soccer legends with 12 outstanding talents discovered at the event.
Among ex-internationals at the event were Daniel Amokachi, Austin Okocha, Augustine Eguavoen, Nwankwo Kanu, Taribo West, Tijani Babangida, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Emmanuel Emenike and Sunday Mbah.
Youth and Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, who was represented by Director of Grassroots Development, Mr. Abiodun Owoborode and Bode Durotoye, lauded the initiative and urged the talents discovered to make the best use of the opportunity.
Cash gifts were later presented to Mohammed Faisal, Jonathan Agbo and Musa Mohammed, who were adjudged the best goalkeeper, best defender and Most Valuable Player (MVP) respectively at the event.
