Pepsi Academy Selects Nneku, Ekeh for UK Scholarship

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.