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As part of move geared at creating job opportunity out of the game of football for the army of young talents available in the state, Kano State government is designing a business partnership with the former England international football player, Nigerian-born John Fashanu.
The partnership would permit John Fashanu to market young football talents from the state to football clubs in several European countries.
This was made known to BusinessDay on Monday when the international footballer paid a courtesy visit on Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje at Government House as part of the preparations for the signing of the agreement.
Speaking, Fashanu described the city of Kano as home to huge talented young footballers that could be promoted to become global assets in the game of football.
Read also: How Kaduna, Ogun, Kano attracted investors into their energy spaces
He said the state has always been blessed with talents which if properly nurtured could become great stars in future, and a source of huge income to the state, noting that he was in the state to also discuss plans for the setting up a Comprehensive Sports Academy in partnership with the state government.
“My aim is to collaborate with Kano State in promoting and selecting young players to play professional football in Europe. It is good news to know that several European clubs are craving for players from Nigeria, Kano in particular, because of the exceptional talents and skills. And for a start have resolved to take 13 players from the state to be showcased for a possible opportunity in Europe,” he stated.
The former international footballer also said he visited the Karfi Sports Institute established by the state government to assess the facilities over there and look at ways of putting it into effective use under the partnership being worked out.
“The facilities at the Sports Institute at Karfi are of international standard, our partnership with Kano State government would enable us to turn it into a Sports Academy not only for football but a place where other athletes from all parts of Africa would be discovered and nurtured to stardom,” he stated.
Responding, Governor Ganduje, who was represented by his deputy, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, noted that the Kano State government is ready to partner with organizations and individuals who have a genuine interest in the youths of the state through sports activities.
“We are creating enabling environment and encouraging investors because sports today has become a viable option to create job opportunities and alleviate poverty,” Ganduje said.
“That is why we created the Ministry of Sports to improve sports activities combined with purposeful policies that would positively promote the lives of the youths and sports development,” he said.
The governor assured of cooperation and called the legendary football player John Fashanu to come forward with his partnership proposal for the state government’s consideration.
