As part of its youth empowerment initiative, One Hope Children Foundation has launched a Sports Academy for Rugby in Enugu.
At the official launch ceremony of the academy held at College of Immaculate Conception, CIC, Enugu, 60 students drawn from five schools were kitted.
Speaking at the event , the founder of One Hope Children Foundation , Rev. Fr. Prof. Felix Ugwuozor said One Hope Sports Academy, is a significant project under the foundation.
He explained that the inspiration for the academy came from the desire to help and support children in various ways.
On sustainability, Professor Ugwuozor said with support from his America partners the foundation will remain committed to funding the academy.
He said the academy is poised to produce resilient youths who can excel in sports and life highlighting the need for dedication and commitment on the part of the kids, their families, and the local community in making the academy successful.
He expressed the desire for the academy to become a global mission, reaching children across continents
According to him, the goal is to produce star players in rugby and other sports, teaching resilience and other valuable life skills.
While thanking all those supporting the initiative, Professor Ugwuozor expressed the hope that the academy will not only excel in sports but also in other aspects of life.
On his part, the team lead, Barrister Bertrand Ngwu said the academy is the first of its kind in Enugu, focusing on rugby game, a game not previously played in the region.
He said the academy is supported by the One Hope Foundation, founded by Reverend Father, a prominent figure in charity work.
He explained that the academy aims to empower intelligent and dynamic children, transforming their lives and making them superstars.
Barr. Ngwu disclosed that the academy has selected the first 60 players from five schools which include; College of Immaculate Conception, Saint Paul’s College, Nsude, Sacred Heart College, and St Patrick’s College, St. Joseph College, Emene.
He said the academy will provide the players with essential equipment, including dresses, hoses, and boots stressing that there is excitement and enthusiasm among the players, who are now learning and practicing the game.
He assured of the academy’s commitment to providing comprehensive training and support to the young athletes.
Also speaking, a member of the board of One Hope Children Foundation and Vice- Chancellor , Peaceland University , Enugu, Professor Leo Ilechukwu introduces himself as the Vice Chancellor of Peaceland University, Enugu said the University is collaborating with the Foundation to promote sporting activities, particularly rugby, to empower youths.
He emphasized the importance of youth empowerment and meaningful engagement stressing that young people have a lot of energy that needs to be channeled properly to prevent misuse.
He disclosed that the initiative aims to redirect youth energy into positive activities, reducing the likelihood of them engaging in crime.
The project is innovative for the region, as rugby is not commonly practiced in Enugu.
According to him, meaningful engagement and employment will reduce the likelihood of youth turning to crime.
Prof Illechukwu said the initiative will be the first of its kind in the state adding that its success expected to lead to replication in other parts of the region.
Senior Special Adviser to Governor Peter Mbah on Information and Communications, Dr. Collins Ogbu advised the young players to uphold the values of discipline, loyalty, accountability and hard work as they are the bedrock upon which children of their age can thrive in a very competitive global sports industry.
“If they are committed to these values, it will to be very easy for them to become like the football and athletic stars that are worshipped all over the world today. They are people who rose from nothing, and they are being praised. They are being worshiped in global spaces and stages”. “And so these ones are even more privileged, because they are starting on a very good footing. They are starting with an academy that is already providing them with requisite facilities for them to be better or almost the same with their peers across the globe”.
Dr. Ogbu described sports as a center of physical and human development.
“You know, if you must have a healthy workforce, that workforce must be prepared in terms of being physically and mentally able to do work, and sports is the bedrock for doing that”.
He said the Enugu state government under Governor Peter Mbah has invested heavily in sports development.
“As far as Enugu state is concerned, the state government under the leadership of His Excellency, Doctor Peter Mbah is doing a whole lot from organizing our football, which is Rangers, to ensuring that, sporting facilities are equipped. I give you an example lately, in preparation towards the National Sports Festival that Enugu state has got the hosting right for next year, we are constructing the Awgu sports village. You know, it is going to be a sports village of a sort that will have all the global best, you know, facilities and infrastructure”.
“And speaking about National Sports Festival is going to be a convergence of the best of the best of sporting athletes, and if you like, stakeholders in Enugu state, that National Sports Festival will assemble sporting men and women from across the 36 states”.
“It is also going to have other requisite stakeholders across Africa. So sports really is a big a big area, you know, it’s a big area, as far as in Enugu state, you know that the state is a home of sporting legends, talking about the likes of late Christian Chukwu was raised there. You know, all the big football legends were all raised here.
“And so Enugu state has got not just the historical relevance in terms of sporting activities, but also for the capacity. And this particular example you are seeing today presents an opportunity for building sporting talents across the length and breadth of the state.
