Hunting For Talents

Given the number of footballers that stormed the various zonal screening venues across the country for the forthcoming Football Challenge with Fash, a talent hunt football reality television show, there appears to be a dire need of a platform for young Nigerian footballers to express themselves.

In all the states visited – Sokoto, Bauchi, Abia, Delta, Ondo and Lagos – the response to the grassroots-oriented football development initiative was overwhelming. Community leaders, football buffs, sports administrators and government officials showered praises on promoters of the project. In all, about 18,000 footballers from the across the country participated in the zonal screening exercise, which produced 600 players that will head to the regions. From the regions, the number will be trimmed to 30 that will make it to the camp for the show. Though intended for male footballers, many female footballers bought the scratch cards and reported to the screening venues, wanting to be part of the show. The show is the first of its kind in the country. A deaf and dumb footballer also turned up for screening. Created by Nigerian-born former England international, John Fashanu, and sponsored by Oceanic Bank International plc, Football Challenge with Fash offers the nation’s young and gifted footballers the opportunity to showcase their talents and further develop their skills as well as improve their lives. Designed to combine entertainment, education and football into television format for wholesome family relaxation, the contest will throw 30 contestants into a camp for 45 days. While in camp, the footballers will be taught skills that will help them enhance their game and lives. They will be under the watchful eyes of a consortium of coaches led by Fanny Amun, coach of the U-17 team that won the FIFA U-17 Championship in 1993. Top soccer stars from within and outside the country will visit the camp to share their experience with the participants. At the end of the camping period, 15 players will be decamped, while the remaining 15 will form a football team to be known as Fash F.C. Each of the final 15 participants will get cash rewards of N1million and a brand new car. The Most Valuable Player, MVP, will get a Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV. “If they play hard and they do well and become part of the Fash FC, they would receive a car, and N1 million each,” Fashanu said. According to him, it is a win-win situation for everybody, as all the 30 players that make it to the camp will be awarded automatic scholarships at the Pepsi Football Academy. Fashanu explained that those who make the camp will be footballers with talent and character. “We are looking for people who have talent. If you have a great personality, you will get in. If you are exceptional, if you are deaf and dumb and you can play wonderful football, you will get in. It is not just about playing football. It is also an entertainment show. We’ve got to entertain viewers. So, we are looking for the big fat boy, who cannot play football but has a wonderful personality,” he said. Fashanu added that it is his desire that the show will throw up future national team players. Fashanu’s presence at the screening centres boosted the interest of participants, as they struggled to take pictures with him. Godfrey Esu, head coach for the screening exercise, reasoned that the show will serve two good purposes. “If we get them busy, the rate of crime will be reduced in our society because they would be gainfully employed which will help them secure their future,” he said. The veteran coach urged the Nigeria Football Association, NFA, and the state football associations to get involved in the programme as they can spot talented footballers for their teams. After screening at each centre, the footballers each got freshly baked pastries, a small pack of fruit drink and water to refresh. To underscore its commitment to the project, Oceanic Bank secured an office and hired staff solely devoted to the show, which will be an annual event. Furthermore, Football Challenge With Fash is registered as a Limited Liability Company. Though the project seems headed for success, there are, however, a few teething problems. First, the timing for the zonal screening exercise, which coincided with the preparations for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination of the West African Examinations Council, WAEC; University Matriculation Examination and first semester examinations of most tertiary institutions across the country, was a disincentive to more widespread participation. Also, the organisers listed Asaba Township Stadium as a screening venue despite the fact that it is currently undergoing rehabilitation. This forced the organisers to seek an alternative at the Ogwashi-Uku Mini-Stadium, a venue that proved too small.Meanwhile, Oceanic Bank has been receiving kudos for its sponsorship of the show. Fashanu explained that it would be near impossible for the bank to make returns on the show. “Oceanic Bank can never recoup the hundreds of millions they have spent on the show. The bank has spent millions on this show and I am so proud that Mummy (Cecilia) Ibru and the entire Oceanic Bank family are seeing the show as a Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR. They are not seeing it as a business,” he said.