By Ewere Okonta
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Ewereokonta20@gmail.com
www.ewereokontablog.org.ng
“I might not know how to play the game of football, but I like the business side of football.”
– Donald Peterson
In a groundbreaking achievement for grassroots football development in Ika Nation, the President and Founder of D-Peterson Foundation, Dr. Donald Peterson, has confirmed to the ‘EOB News Crew’ that four young football talents from Ika have secured deals with Torino Football Club, a prestigious Italian Serie A team. This remarkable feat underscores the foundation’s commitment to identifying, nurturing, and providing opportunities for young footballers to reach their full potential on the global stage.
Torino FC, established in 1906 and based in Turin, Italy, is one of the historic clubs in Italian football, competing in both Serie A and the Coppa Italia. Over the years, the club has built a reputation for developing world-class footballers, making this partnership a significant milestone for Ika Nation’s budding football talents. Dr. Peterson expressed his excitement over this achievement, stating:
“Mr. Ewere Okonta, you know I might not know how to play the game of football, but I like the business side of football. As you may recall, late last year, we organized a football tournament and trial in Ika Nation, where we invited foreign scouts. Some outstanding players were identified during that event. The theme of the competition was ‘Connecting Talents to Purpose.’ Today, I am proud to say that we have successfully connected some of these raw talents to a purpose. Four of these young footballers from Ika will soon be heading to Torino FC in Italy, and one of our media personnel will be accompanying them to document this journey.”
Dr. Peterson, who also serves as the Special Adviser to the Delta State Government on Entrepreneurship Development, commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his administration for providing him the opportunity to serve. He acknowledged the importance of government support in entrepreneurial development and highlighted the potential of football as a viable career path for young Nigerians. He further revealed plans to extend the football tournament across Delta State as part of his mandate to foster youth development through sports, noting that creating more platforms for exposure is essential in shaping the future of aspiring footballers.
The D-Peterson Foundation is fully sponsoring this project, ensuring that these young talents have every opportunity to excel without financial burdens. The initiative is supported through a working arrangement with Act Sport Football Academy, the official representative of Torino FC in Africa. This collaboration is expected to create a structured pathway for more talented young footballers to access international opportunities and professional contracts.
Dr. Peterson emphasized that the D-Peterson Football Academy intends to continue organizing similar tournaments to discover and nurture more football talents from Ika Nation and beyond. He encouraged parents, guardians, and community leaders to support young athletes in their pursuits. “This is just the beginning. We are committed to ensuring that more young players from our communities get the opportunity to shine on the global stage,” he added. He also hinted at future expansion efforts, including partnerships with other European clubs and additional training programs to refine players’ skills before international trials. He concluded by commending the former governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for building the entrepreneurial climate for us to connect and nurture the talent of our youths to purpose.
This development marks a significant step in the quest to harness the potential of young footballers in Ika land and provide them with international exposure, proving that talent, when given the right platform, can indeed lead to great opportunities. With this success, D-Peterson Football Academy is set to become a leading force in talent discovery and sports development in Nigeria, paving the way for even more young athletes to achieve their dreams of playing professional football abroad.
*Ewere Okonta is the CEO of EOB Media. He writes from the Department of Business Administration, University of Delta, Agbor.*