Rivers State Government and Real Madrid Football Club have
signed a ratification agreement for the development of Real Madrid Academy,
Port Harcourt into an international football academy.
The agreement signing ceremony took place on Monday at the
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home of Real Madrid Football Club. The signature
event held at the Presidency Reception Centre of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
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The signature of the ratification Protocol was executed by
the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the Executive Vice President
of Real Madrid Football Club Foundation, Enrique Sanchez.
In an address, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike said
that the State Government is preparing the Real Madrid Academy as a veritable
pathway for the empowerment of Rivers Children.
He said: “We are preparing the Real Madrid Academy as a
veritable pathway for our young stars to be international football talents and
for them to realise their dreams.
“We will offer them exposure, nurturing opportunities and
mentorship by world renowned professionals at the Real Madrid Academy “.
He informed the Real Madrid Football Club management that
the Rivers State Government has already exhibited seriousness by developing the
needed infrastructure at the Real Madrid Academy in Port Harcourt.
He said that in establishing the Real Madrid Academy, the
Rivers State Government took into consideration the culture and reality of the
state.
“Taking the interest of our youths, the Real Madrid Academy
is designed for culture and holistic programmes with a comprehensive package
for the acquisition of high level knowledge in a comfortable and inspiring
environment “, he said.
He added that the Real Madrid Academy will also serve as an
avenue to grow the economy of Rivers State, which is the second largest in the
country. Governor Wike urged officials of Real Madrid Football Club to serve as
ambassadors of Rivers State to the rest of Europe.
Executive Vice President of Real Madrid Football Club
Foundation , Enrique Sanchez commended the Rivers State Government for its
commitment to using football as a tool to empower youths.
He assured the Rivers State Government that the Real Madrid
Foundation will continue to partner with it for the training and exposure of
Rivers Children .
Sanchez said that the partnership with the Rivers State
Government will be expanded to include local schools in Rivers State.
The Director of Institutional Relations in Real Madrid
Football Club, Mr Emilio Butragueno said that Real Madrid appreciates any
authority that promotes the wellbeing of children irrespective of their
background.
He thanked Governor Wike for the initiative of using
football as a platform to reach out to different categories of Rivers children.
Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Ambassador Susan Aderonke
praised Governor Wike for his investments in the development of football.
“This is a legacy that Governor Wike is leaving for Nigerian
Children. We are happy with his investments in developing the future of our
Children “, she said.
Earlier, Director of Institutional Relations in Real Madrid
Football Club, Mr Emilio Butragueno took Governor Wike and his entourage on a
tour of facilities at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Area Manager of Real Madrid Foundation for Africa and Middle
East, Mr Inigo Vallejo coordinated the signature event witnessed by official of
Interact Sports led by their Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jihad Saade.
On 21st September, 2019, the Rivers State Government
unveiled the splendid Real Madrid Football Academy constructed by the Nyesom
Ezenwo Wike Administration to promote professional football.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was accompanied by Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah, Senator Representing Rivers South-east, Senator Barry Mpigi, Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Ehie Edison, Former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt Hon Austin Opara, Senator Olaka Nwogu, Senator Sam Anyanwu, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Former Commissioner of Sports, Boma Iyaye, Former Rivers Lawmaker, Felix Nwaeke and Former Commissioner, Marcus Nlenji.
Source: Channels TV