SAMDA Nigeria Chairman Tajudeen Disu took time off to visit the Opebi Primary School campsite on Sunday to admonish the participating teams, urging discipline ahead of today’s football tournament at the same venue.
Addressing a cross-section of players across male and female categories, the former Nigeria defender, who was accompanied by SAMDA Nigeria Procurement Officer Akeem Ishola, highlighted the rules governing the tournament and the need to combine education with football in their quest for stardom.
“You are welcome to this event, and I believe it would enable you all to accomplish your goals in this tournament and your fledging football career,” said Disu as the players chorused amen.
He continued, “I need you all to see the need to combine education with football. It is possible because I did it successfully and currently reside in the United States of America by virtue of securing a scholarship to study in an American university. I was also able to help about 18 young players come to the country to enjoy the same privilege, as they all proved their skills on the pitch. I encourage you to tread the same path, and God will make you succeed.
“However, such success can only be achieved through discipline because no matter how talented you are, you can’t make it if you are not disciplined.
“To make the SAMDA team that will travel abroad, you must prove yourselves on the pitch because there is no cutting of corners, no circumvention of due process and absolutely no margin for manipulation of any kind. It was my ability that got me that far. From playing for Baptist Academy in Obanikoro, Lagos, I went on to play for Julius Berger, Leventis, and Abiola Babes before being drafted into the national U20 team and playing number 5 for Nigeria at the 1983 World Youth Championship in Mexico, Nigeria’s first time playing at the World Cup.”
The football tournament comes on the heels of a successful press conference at the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board in Maryland on Wednesday as part of the programmes lined up to launch the non-profit organisation in Nigeria.
SAMDA currently operates in 26 countries across Africa and the Bahamas, namely Angola, Barbados, Botswana, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Congo DRC, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, advancing education, leadership, and livelihoods from digital literacy and vocational training to sports and social cohesion, helping people thrive.
The organisation, headquartered in North Carolina, USA, champions transparency and partnership, working with elders, leaders, and global allies to convert vision into measurable impact.