By Charles Nwoke
The long-anticipated football scouting tournament aimed at discovering young talents capable of competing internationally has commenced in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State.
The three-day programme, which began on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the Camp David Estate Field in Centenary City, features 20 teams from Ebonyi and neighboring states. It is expected to conclude on Saturday, May 3.
Dr Onyechi Nwankwo, CEO of Salt Jewel Football Club and chief sponsor of the event, expressed excitement over the kickoff. He described the tournament as a dream come true and a major step toward transforming grassroots football into a platform for developing future stars.
“This event is more than a tournament; it is a life-changing opportunity,” Nwankwo said. “It provides young players with exposure to scouts and football managers from Europe and Nigeria.”
He highlighted the presence of a European football scout and foreign investor as a key success marker. According to him, the interest from abroad reflects growing international recognition of Nigerian football talent. “We have players who are not only marketable but also hungry to succeed. This scouting exercise is about giving them that much-needed window,” he added.
Dr Nwankwo also thanked Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for supporting sports development in the state. He said the administration’s efforts have reduced youth restiveness and boosted engagement in productive ventures.
Among the international scouts in attendance is Mr Tihomir Sloboda, Sports Director of FC Šiauliai Joniskis, Lithuania. He praised Nigeria’s deep talent pool, referencing football legends like Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu as examples of the country’s legacy.
“What Nigerian players often lack is not passion, but technical finesse and tactical understanding,” Sloboda stated. “That is what we seek to refine and harness for international exposure.”
Mr Seun Rich Boss, Director of 1968 Football and local partner of the programme, explained that the scouting is focused on identifying midfielders, attacking midfielders, and defenders aged 15 to 20. He stressed the importance of placing these talents in European clubs for further development.
He pledged continued support for the programme and partnership with Salt Jewel FC to build a sustainable sports pipeline in Nigeria.
The Ebonyi chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) is officially covering the event. Its Chairman, Comrade Ndubuisi Nwogha, applauded Dr Nwankwo’s commitment to grassroots football and urged others to emulate the initiative.
He reaffirmed SWAN’s commitment to promoting youth sports and ensuring the stories of emerging talents receive national and global attention.
As the scouting tournament progresses, expectations remain high among scouts and club representatives hoping to discover the next football stars from Ebonyi. For the young players on the field, it is an opportunity to turn their dreams into reality.
