Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that the foundation for the Real Madrid Football Academy will be laid by the first week of March this year.
The Governor said this during his nomination by the International Sports Press Association, African Section (AIPS) for the “Power of Sports” (POS) award.
African President of International Sports Press (AIPS), Mr Mitchell Obi had announced the nomination during a courtesy visit to the Government House Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Mitchell Obi who led other Presidents of Sports Writers Associations stated that the AIPs will bestow on Governor Wike with a badge of honor in recognition of his investments in the sports sector.
Governor Wike will be the first recipient of the award in the whole African continent with four other awardees globally.
Mitchelle Obi reiterated that the award ceremony would hold at a later date during the international congress of the association.
In his remark, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike said that the award will be dedicated to the people of Rivers State and pledged to sustain the development of Sports in the state.
He assured the global association of sports writers that he will live up to the requirements of the award by ensuring that sports are used as a tool for empowerment.
Governor Wike said that sports are being used in the state to promote peace, unity, and development.
The governor noted that the African Wrestling Championship hosted by the State Government has promoted unity in the continent.
The Governor stated that the State-sponsored Real Madrid Football will take off in the first week of March this year saying that the academy will nurture teen talents in the area of football and create jobs in the state.
