NSC, Edo FA back Ikhana academy, promise nationwide model


By Maxwell Kumoye 
 
  

A new chapter in grassroots football development in Nigeria began in Auchi, Edo State, as the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Edo State Football Association pledged strong support for the newly launched Kadiri Ikhana Football Academy (KIFA), with plans to adopt it as a template for future academies across the country.

At the official unveiling on Saturday, the Director General of the NSC, Honourable Bukola Olopade, represented by his aide Ebidowei Ebikagboro, hailed the initiative as a timely intervention in youth development through sports. 

He described the academy as a project worthy of national backing, assuring that the Commission would not only support but also nurture it to achieve its long-term objectives.

Olopade paid glowing tribute to Kadiri Ikhana, whose legacy in Nigerian football continues to inspire generations. 

A member of the historic 1980 Green Eagles squad that won Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations title, Ikhana also etched his name in the record books by leading Enyimba FC to a historic CAF Champions League triumph, the first by a Nigerian club.

“The academy is our baby and we shall adopt it,” Olopade said.

“We are particularly impressed with the blend of football and education. We encourage the students to take their academics as seriously as their football careers. The NSC will stand firmly behind this project.”

The Edo State Football Association echoed similar sentiments, with chairman Fred Newton, represented at the event, commending Ikhana for investing his experience into shaping the next generation of footballers. 

He described the academy as a visionary step that will have lasting impact on youth development in the state and beyond.

Newton assured that the FA would provide the necessary support to ensure the academy meets its objectives, emphasizing its potential to transform lives and elevate football standards in Edo North and across the state.

With strong institutional backing and a clear focus on combining education with elite football training, KIFA is already being positioned as a blueprint for sustainable sports development in Nigeria.

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