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President of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick and former Super Eagles stars, Daniel Amokachi and Victor Ikpeba are among dignitaries confirmed for final matches of the Natasha Akpoti soccer talent hunt.
The final matches will be played on Sunday, November 11 at the Ihima Township Stadium, Obeiba, Okehi local government area of Kogi State.
In a statement by Natasha, the grassroot football initiative is to identify and create opportunities for young soccer talents.
“The Natasha Akpoti Foundation (NAF), in partnership with Soccer for Peace foundation, Webster group and NTA Sports 24 with the approval of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) sets to organize a grassroot soccer talent hunt to identify young and talented soccer players who lack the opportunity of harnessing their potentials in a bid to contribute to National and international soccer growth.
“The soccer talent hunt is made up of 2 stages with pre-match stage made up of 45 players to produce 10 players from each of the 3 Senatorial Districts of Kogi State. The grand finale which shall have 30 selected players divided into 2 teams of 15 players each making up the Amaju Pinnick and Natasha Akpoti’s teams respectively.
“A screening committee has been set up to select the players that will play at the pre-match while the final best players shall be selected by NFF officials.
“The pre-match stages began on Monday and ends on Thursday at the Kogi Polytechnic football pitch. While the finale matches come up on Sunday, 11th Nov, 2018 at 9am, at the Ihima Township Stadium, Obeiba, Okehi LGA, Kogi State.
“Famous international football stars such as Daniel Amokachi popularly known as “The Bull”, Samson Siasia, Victor Ikpeba and others shall be live at the venue to select work alongside the NFF to select raw talents and motivate youths to dream possibilities.
“At the end of the tournament 5 outstanding players will be awarded career part-ways via international Soccer Academies. The winning team will have a grand prize of 1,000,000 (one million) Naira while the second team will get 500,000 (five hundred thousand) Naira.
“Kogi Central and Kogi State in general has great untapped grassroots soccer talents which sadly wastes away for lack of opportunities. It’s my earnest dream that these youths grace the world’s football pitches as the next Amokachi, Maradona and Messi. It is possible and our reality shall start on Sunday the 11th of November 2018 by the special grace of God,” she said.
Those expected to grace the event are; Mr. Amaju Pinnick President, Nigeria Football Federation and Vice President Confederation of African Football, Governor of Kogi State, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, His Royal Majesty Alh. Dr. Ado Ibrahim; Attah Igala, His Royal Majesty Dr. Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni; Obaro of Kabba, His Royal Majesty Chief Solomon Owoniyi.
Others are, the Alema of Warri Kingdom, His Royal Highness, High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, and Chief Host herself, Barr. Natasha Hadiza Akpoti.
Barrister Akpoti is the Senatorial Candidate for Kogi Central District under the Social Democratic Party.
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