Some prominent footballers that are currently ruling the world of football emerged from the academy and every big European club is either running a football academy or sponsoring one and it's a perfect bridge between the ageing players and the new generation players.

The is no better way to do it than to catch them young and place them in right hands and I can truly say that such players are on their right track and nothing can stop them except injury.

Training children is actually stressful I must say, especially down here in Africa in which you have to succeed first before you can have sponsors and if anyone choose to do so, a high level of patience, encouragement, and endurance is expected from him/her.

That's the situation that coach Chinedu is into now as he decides to start a football academy in Bukan Sidi, Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria. The is no official name yet but I pray he takes it seriously as I wish him best of luck.

The academy is made up of players between the ages of 7-10. Truly this age bracket needs support because this is truly the time to lay the best foundation and anything they learn at this stage stays in them and they can build advance skills on this strong foundation but if this foundation is not strong enough they will actually be frustrated when they meet challenges on their way up.

Yesterday was actually their first training session but poor them as they didn't have training facilities to keep the training simple and attractive.

Stones were being used instead of plastic cones for the workout.

Secondly, out of 12 players only one player could afford to own a soccer boot.

They could only afford a ball for a start which is so bad if I must say, but who I'm I to blame the coach in a country in which every average citizen struggle to survive.

What Else?

Minus the football that they all share in common I believe the football academy will infused some level of Discipline, Integrity, Teamwork, Leadership, Emotional Intelligence and Endurance.

Everyone is an encouragement to the other, starting from the jogging session and the coach was saying "make sure you are not the last person"

In the ball controlling session if any player miss the ball twice or hit it wide such player will stay outside for 5 minutes.

So I really enjoyed the high level of discipline on their first training session.

The training actually went well as the young players showed up their zeal and passion for the world number 1 Sport.

Yesterday training was mainly focused on fitness and ball control.

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

My love for local Sports is just natural and I was not happy with what I witness yesterday.

The first thing that came to my mind was "how I wish SCR was up there this could have been a very nice project to support.

They need balls, bibs, cones, boots, a registered academy name, first aid box, goal post, and water during training sessions.

They really need financial support but giving them the right information during training can also be a way of support now that not financially stable.

So friends please I need your professional advice and detailed contribution in time like this will be of great help.

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Penalty Shooting

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Thank you for staying tuned.

Thanks for supporting Local Sports blogs, so let keep doing this.

Please drop your comments, suggestions and Corrections below as all will be well appreciated.

@akudozen.