An Ogoni Monarch and King of Bangha Kingdom in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, His Royal Highness Mene King Suanu Baridam JP, has said he is planning to establish a football academy in the area.
The king said this shortly after a novelty football match between Bua Bangha Kingdom United vs Deeyor United which was organized in his honor as part of activities marking his 10 year coronation anniversary.
He said this is born out of the need to raise footballers from the Ogoni axis to break into the international scene, since the retirement of former Super Eagles Captain, Joseph Yobo.
“What I’m trying to do is to groom up people, to have a form of an Academy within the local area, so that we can help those of them who are very talented in football. We can also help them to talk to some of our friends outside here, so that they can pick them.
“You know asides Yobo who has done very well within the international community, we don’t have any other person that is coming up.
“And we have very, very good footballers. That is one of the challenges I have also given to Yobo, that at least by now we are supposed to have some other boys, who have been groomed up for us, to take over his football career.
The novelty match ended in a barren draw.
