Act Sports partners Torino FC to launch academy in Lagos

Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited has taken its grassroots football development efforts to new heights with the unveiling of players and officials signed up to run its brand new academy that will be domiciled in Lagos.

To be known as the ‘Act Sports Di Oyibo Academy’, the centre will run on the muscle of support being provided by its Italian partner, Torino Football Club which has shown interest in the discovery, nurturing and exposure of young football talents in Nigeria and Ghana in recent years.

The event which held in Egbeda, Lagos had 22 players and a compact technical crew led by former Warri Wolves manager, Efetoboho Davidson Akpobome, former Super Eagles defender, Julius Akpele, and a host of other experienced coaches, unveiled.

Director and Chief Executive Officer of Act Sports, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo was ecstatic when asked about the vision behind setting up the academy, insisting that it was more for altruistic reasons than pecuniary.

“I am ecstatic about this new academy more because it will provide jobs and help our youths with talent for sports, particularly football, to be gainfully engaged,” Pastor Oyibo said.

“Of course, we’d be happy if we make money on the side but my greater joy will come from seeing these young ones fulfill their destinies, using football as a platform.

“It is not the first time we have been running academies. We have one already in Kwale, Delta State and we have several other grassroots teams that have worked with us in the past to help our young footballers grow. But, I tell you. The biggest satisfaction I have always gotten is seeing these players rise to become stars,” he added

Pastor Oyibo also talked about preparations being currently made to honour an invitation sent them by their foreign partners on a playing tour to Italy in the summer.

“We are not just unveiling an academy, we are also preparing a team to visit Torino for a series of friendly matches to hold very soon. To this end, an advanced party from the Serie A club will visit Nigeria early March to assess our level of preparedness for the trip,” he said.

Players unveiled during the ceremony included Nwayasi Sunday, Emmanuel Oruma Oghetega, Iawiwi Dunamis, Itumu Ogunbor Wealth, Samuel Maro Adjekughele, Itumu Ogunbor Thompson, Onuetuhieokwu Marvellous, Ekokogbe Ogaga Joseph, Eric Oriekachukwu Emmanuel, Osondu Liberty, Uchenna Winner Nwachinemere and Alloy Godstime.

Others are, Miracle Onyeme Chukwuemeka, Chukwurah Nnabuife, Udomah Victor Uche, Onoja Chibundu Michael, Onwuatuegwu Joseph Ifechuckwudi, Igwuebuike Matthew Ndubuisi, Okonye Chinedu Benjamin, Onate David, Kpabuluku Joshua and Godsgift Ayabotu Kene

Members of the technical crew also unveiled included Omotayo Alimi, Ighagbon Prince Greg, Armstrong Silas, Joseph Shobunke, Taiwo Oche Matthew and Ebeagwu Owen Gabriel.

Act Sports also signed collaborative contracts with Sapele based team, Ogunbor FC, the All Stars International Sports Academy (ASISA), Warri, the Delta Lions FC, Onyah, KG Sports Academy, Agbor and the Donald Peterson Sports Academy also in Agbor.