 |
| Director
Pepsi Football Academy, Chief Kasimawo Laloko; Pepsi Academy UK Scholarship winner, Ekeh Divine ; Consultant to Pepsi
Football Academy, Mr. Iain Nelson; another UK Scholarship winner, Nneku Joseph and Head of Marketing Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc (SBC) Mr. Norden
Thurston at the
grand finale of the Pepsi
Academy UK Scholarship Selection Exercise in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Saturday
June 13, 2015 |
As part of its commitment to identify
and groom football youngsters at the grassroots in Nigeria and make them world
stars, Pepsi Football Academy at the weekend selected two outstanding players
of the Academy, Nneku Joseph and Ekeh Divine for two years full scholarship at
Brooke House College in United Kingdom.
The selection process which took
place at the Funturf Arena, Abeokuta, Ogun State involved the participation of
128 students of the Academy selected from across 14 centres in Nigeria. The three
days rigorous selection exercise with the panel of judges led by Ex-Super
Eagles Coach Adegboye Onigbinde identified the players based on field skill
display, ball intelligence and general comportment on and off the field.
Speaking with press men at the
event, the Head of Marketing Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc (SBC) Mr. Norden
Thurston said the UK Scholarship scheme is in line with the vision of
the Academy to develop football skills and create a platform for youngsters to
make their dreams come through.
He said: “The last
three days has not just been about choosing two winners but showcasing the abundance
of talents we have across the country, sharpening their football skills. The essence
of the scheme is to create a platform for exposure and affords the youngsters
the opportunity to showcase their talents and acquire new skills to play in
foreign leagues, clubs and more importantly in the national team; some of the
beneficiaries are currently playing in Europe. I wish the two winners well done
and urge them to be good ambassadors of Pepsi Academy and Nigeria wherever they
go,” Mr. Norden said.
Former Coach of the Super Eagles
Chief Adegboye Onigbinde described Pepsi Football Academy as the only football
academy in Nigeria. He encouraged other bodies and institutions in the country
to emulate Pepsi in identifying, polishing and bring together young football
talents at the grassroots to develop the game of soccer in the country.
Nneku, one of the winners, described
his emergence as a result of hard work and perseverance. The Anambra born
youngster, whose father is late, said the future has just begun for him and his
family with the award.
For Ekeh, he said: “I joined
Pepsi Football Academy between 2013/2014 seasons last year. I am an orphan and
football is everything to me, now I can play football and get education at the
same time, I thank Pepsi for everything I just wish my parents were here to see
me.”
Pepsi Academy UK Scholarship is a life changing initiative which
provides opportunity for two outstanding youngsters of the Academy to study and play
professional soccer at Brooke
House College in United Kingdom for two years.
More than 15 players have benefited from the programme
since it began in 2005. Among
are Oluwatosin Michael
and Larry Egunjobi who are presently plying their trade with Portuguese league.
