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SEYI AKINWUNMI U-13 TOURNEY WINNERS, ‘LITTLE ONES’ GET SCHOLARSHIPS

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BY AKEEM BUSARI.

Success often yields greater successes. That has come to play for the Ekiti State U-13 team which recently won the Seyi Akinwunmi U-13 Tournament in Lagos.

The team, fondly called the ‘Little Ones’, have been offered sports and academic scholarships to secure their future.

The Little Ones from Ekiti defeated favourites Kwara State U-13 team in the final of the tournament to clinch the title and some of the outstanding lads were duly rewarded with academic scholarships worth N150, 000 each.

However, the cynosure of all eyes was 12 -year old talented goalkeeper, Akeem Bashir a JSS 2 pupil who lives with his aged grandfather who is struggling to send him to school.

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He was awarded a double scholarship award.  Speaking in a chat with the press, the General Manager of Phoenix Athletic Sports Club, Bayo Olanlege that facilitated the scholarships for other members of the squad whose parents are struggling to keep the kids in school, was emotional about the future of the young lads who he describes as ‘prides of the future’ .

“The future of this country lies in the hands of our kids. And for us at PASC (Phoenix Athletic Sports Club), we are concerned and working to ensure our tomorrow is safe by investing in the future of our children by working with various organizations to provide them with academic and sporting opportunities,” he enthused.

“I was heartbroken when I learned little Uche dropped out of school at JSS 2 due to lack of funds.

“However, I am glad to reveal to you that the young lad would resume his academic career alongside others this September at the Ekiti Baptist High School, Igede Ekiti. Never again should we allow our kids to suffer for lack of opportunities”, he stated in emotion laden tone.

He went on to appreciate the selfless efforts of Seyi Akinwunmi, the first vice president of the NFF who is also a prime promoter of developmental football. Also appreciated are several Nigerian sports enthusiasts in the Diaspora, as well as, Reckitt Benckiser makers of Dettol for helping to keep the future of the kids alive.

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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