Over 200 kids kick off Paddysco talent hunt

PADDYSCO Football Challenge, a talent hunt programme to scout for players under age 19 for top European and local clubs, which is now in its fourth day at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison Sports Complex, is bubbling with over 200 teenagers showcasing their talent.As registration ended yesterday, the participants - all poised to claim a final spot in the 25-man selection that will head for Europe or Nigeria Premier League (NPL) clubs already waiting to secure their services, showed a lot of eagerness and skill.According to the head of the technical crew set up to fish out the most talented of the lot, coach Alaba Joseph Oke, the turnout was overwhelming on the first day of the one week screening event. He expressed hope that subsequently, the number would increase, especially during the second phase of the talent hunt scheduled for the National Stadium, Surulere, on December 15 and 16.'The turnout is awesome and I am really impressed by the performance and attitude of the boys,' Alaba told newsmen at the screening ground. 'I am glad that the players present are truly within the ages of 10 and 19 and have really proven that the future of the game is in the hands of the youths.'They have displayed gut, skill and desire to excel, and I know we will see more from the boys as we progress. We expect more players by the time we end the first phase of this programme, which will produce the players meant to jostle for the team of 25 by the time we commence the second phase at the National Stadium.'Seeing these kids perform really excites me and I hope my colleagues handling various clubs in the Premier and amateur leagues will utilise this opportunity to recruit players for their respective teams.'Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Paddysco Sports Limited, Peter Okereke, has disclosed that the response from the foreign partners have been encouraging as they are just waiting for the programme to round off before taking the next step.
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