*SWAN President tells other ex international to emulate Kanu
Nigeria ex international and Enyimba International Football Club chairman, Nwankwo Kanu has said that the maiden edition of the Nwankwo Kanu U-19 Inter State Soccer Championship was organised to expose talented young players.
He said this while fielding questions from sports writers at the closing ceremony of the Kanu U-19 Inter State Soccer Championship, played between Campos FC and Apex Crane FC on Thursday July 5, 2024.
He said that several clubs were around to scout for players so that the young ones and clubs can benefit.
“At Enyimba we have a partnership with Norwegian club to develop talents,” he said.
According to him, “This is the first one and we intend to sustain it. I believe by next edition, it will be better than this.
“We used to create a lot of good programmes for the youth in Nigeria in the past, but now most of the young ones believe in play station and the others
“Like this one I did now, I have watched several games and people come here and say they boys playing are good,” he said.
Kanu praised SWAN for its role in sports development.
He assured that Enyimba would build a cordial relationship with the sporting press, while tasking other football clubs to partner SWAN in developing the game.
According to him, such partnership is what is obtainable in other parts of the world, hence same should be replicated here.
Also speaking in an interview after the final, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) President, Isaiah Benjamin said that the players who featured in the final match put up brilliant display.
He called on other ex internationals to emulate Kanu in sponsoring such competitions
On the novelty match played earlier, he described it as successful.
He said that SWAN will live up to expectations in putting sports administrators on their toes.
At the final of the Nwankwo Kanu U-19 Inter State Soccer Championship between Campos FC and Apex Crane, it ended 0-3.
Earlier in a novelty match between Team Legend and Team SWAN at the Enyimba International FC stadium, it ended 2-0 in favour of the former.
Team Legend comprises of ex Enyimba stars/ Ex Internationals stars.
