Enyimba FC Executive Chairman, Nwankwo Kanu, has gleefully disclosed that they have reinforced their commitment to youth development by launching the second edition of their training programme for coaches and players in partnership with Hamkam Football Club of Norway, Completesports.com reports.
The event held at the, aims to enhance grassroots football in Abia State and beyond.
Speaking on the collaboration, Kanu highlighted the importance of Hamkam’s involvement and the progress made since the partnership began.
“Last year we had this partnership signed and sealed, the most important thing for Enyimba is that we don’t want them to be in their country, Norway, and we’ll be sending clips to them; we wanted them to be here. Last year they came and they saw that the club is organised and has a little structure, and they were pleased and happy,” Kanu, a former Nigeria international and former Arsenal Star said.
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“So when they went back, they gave reports of what happened in Aba, and the management over there, the big bosses over there, were pleased, and that’s why they can afford to send them here for the second time.
“If there was no security in Aba, they wouldn’t have come. If I had done anything wrong and our team is not a capable team, they wouldn’t have come. But altogether, in general, they saw Enyimba is one of the best in the country; that is why they still stick with Enyimba.
“You know, the first time you come to a place, you’re standing with one leg, but because they are here now, it’s the opposite. They’re relaxed and they want to do more.”
Kanu further explained that the initiative extends beyond Enyimba, as it will also benefit coaches across Abia State.
“This time around, we want to make sure that we can impart all the coaches in Abia State, so it is like a course for all the coaches in Abia State, including Enyimba, of course. After that, the players who are going to be here will, of course, benefit from them because of the things they will teach the coaches and what they will teach them as well,” the1996 Atalanta Olympics football gold medal winner with Nigeria’s U-23 Olympic team stated.
“As we are saying, if eventually they see a very powerful, skilled and very good player—U-15, U-17 or whoever it is—that is their role, to make sure they pick the person. That is the contract. They will enhance our players and can eventually take them on their team.”
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The former Super Eagles captain stressed the significance of this partnership for Enyimba’s long-term vision.
“Improving our youth programme, our youth department. Ensuring that the younger ones will learn faster. When I say faster, I mean, when I was playing, the first time I was in Europe, it’s totally different. I had to start all over again, I had to start learning from the beginning. But now, as someone who has had this experience, I don’t want it to happen to the young ones,” he said.
“So whatever they have been taught here now, when they travel, it’s not going to be new. The only thing that will be new is the weather. Apart from the weather, in terms of football, they will be comfortable. It makes it much easier for a player to settle down.”
Beyond the existing partnership with Hamkam, Enyimba are set to welcome scouts from Poland and the Czech Republic on 1st March, further expanding opportunities for young Nigerian footballers.
Kanu added: “Well, on the first of March, scouts from Poland and Czech are coming in for this type of programme as well, which means that the partnership is good here. Scouting is also part of what we’re doing so they can come and scout our players.
“Imagine a boy of 18 years that is being scouted and is travelling without even playing in the Premier League. It is wonderful for the community, for himself, for the family, and for us too—the club Enyimba.
“Apart from that, there is another one in the pipeline, but I won’t say anything for now. But it is the biggest you’ll see in Enyimba. We will announce it when we’re 100% sure, and it is to do with the same youth programme that we’re doing here, but it will be bigger.”
Kanu also had a strong message for Nigerian football stakeholders and former players, urging them to contribute actively to the sport’s growth.
“The truth is that if you love football, you have to support football, do what you have to do. In terms of the stakeholders, of course, you can’t be a stakeholder and you don’t know what is going on. You have to be part of it,” he reiterated.
“In terms of legends, I’ve said it—you cannot be a legend and you are not imparting on the younger ones or the country you come from. So it is very important that we put our hands together to make sure that football is not the way it is now, because every year, football in Europe keeps growing; every year, football in Nigeria is supposed to keep growing.
“So whatever we have done wrong, we have to go and review it and make sure we can do better. And in terms of the programme going on, I always want teams to win, but the most important thing is the youth programme as well.
“You cannot get good players without a good youth programme. People used to play on the streets, but nowadays, if I go on the streets, there’s nobody playing, and I don’t see any powerful youth programme being set up nationally. So if you’re a club owner or administrator, please, wherever you are, this is a very important thing to get to.”
With Enyimba at the forefront of youth development in Nigerian football, Kanu’s leadership and international partnerships are set to create more opportunities for young talents to thrive.
By Chigozie Chukwuleta, in Aba
