As the AfriSportPro Youth League prepares to launch across six Nigerian states in August 2025, Founder and CEO of AfriSportPro Limited and Chairman of the League’s Advisory Board, Chukwuebuka Ugwu, in an interview with ERNEST NZOR, highlights the league’s objectives, global tech partnerships, and his vision for a future where no young Nigerian football talent is left behind.

You’ve spoken often about your background as a former amateur footballer. How did that shape your decision to establish AfriSportPro?
My journey as a young footballer in Nigeria was filled with disappointment, not due to a lack of talent or dedication, but because there was no structured pathway for growth. From childhood, my dream was to become a professional footballer. That dream shaped everything, from the schools I attended to the decisions I made.

Sadly, I never got the opportunity to go pro, and neither did any of my friends, despite our potential. We lacked a proper platform. That frustration led me to establish AfriSportPro, to create the kind of system we never had. My goal is to ensure future generations of Nigerian footballers have access to opportunities we could only dream of.

Was there a specific moment when you realised a youth league could transform grassroots football in Nigeria?
I had always known a structured youth league was needed. But the turning point came when I realised no one else was addressing the issue. We kept waiting for someone or some organisation to take action, until I decided to do it myself.  In 2021, we formally registered AfriSportPro Limited and began building the foundation for this league. It was born out of a personal heartbreak, but also a desire to help young footballers avoid the same fate.

With the league launching in August 2025 across six states, what are the key outcomes you are targeting in the first year?
We have several goals. First, to prove that a structured youth league is possible and sustainable in Nigeria. Second, we want to create a league focused on player development, specifically tailored for football academies, which are crucial for grooming talent. This isn’t just about winning matches; it’s about nurturing future stars.

Third, we aim to provide visibility. Thousands of talented players exist across Nigeria, but only a fraction is ever scouted, mostly in cities like Lagos or Abuja. We want to bring nationwide exposure to talent, regardless of their location.

Lastly, we’re working closely with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The league will be data-driven, powered by analytics from partners like Wyscout. Our plan is to share performance data with the NFF to help improve the selection process for youth national teams. Right now, player call-ups are largely subjective. With data, we can raise the standard.

How will you identify and select players or teams for the league?
We have already enrolled over 1,500 U-19 players from 72 academies across six states. One key metric of success will be player engagement. We’re giving academy players a platform to grow in a structured environment.

Another goal is to help at least 10 per cent of these players secure professional contracts, either in Nigeria, elsewhere in Africa, or internationally. If we succeed in getting these players into pro clubs, or even national youth teams, that will be a huge win.

You have mentioned the importance of inclusivity. How will the league reach players in underserved or remote communities?
Talent speaks for itself. You don’t need to be an expert to recognise a gifted player. But beyond the eye test, we will also rely on data. Every match will be recorded and analysed. Player performance metrics will be used to identify and elevate standout players, wherever they come from.

You have partnered with platforms like Hudl Wyscout, FootballerLife, and ScoutDecision. How do these global tech partners change the game?
These partnerships are about visibility. Many young Nigerians play their hearts out, but go unnoticed due to a broken system. With Wyscout, used by over 200 professional clubs globally, our players will now be seen by the world.

ScoutDecision is also a major partner, helping connect our talent to scouts, agents, and clubs worldwide. These tools ensure that no matter where a player is, they can be discovered.

Will this digital approach lead to more grassroots players making it to national teams?
Absolutely! You’ll start seeing players from lesser-known towns and academies making it to the U-17 and U-20 national teams. This visibility increases the competition for Nigerian talent, which will also raise their market value and opportunities for international careers.

What policy changes would you recommend to the Nigerian government to support youth sports development?
First, I urge the government to support private initiatives like ours. They are already doing a lot, but they can’t do it all. Supporting citizen-led projects with real impact is crucial.
Our work also contributes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals, like poverty alleviation and youth empowerment. So, my advice is: Partner with organisations like ours. Together, we can make a bigger impact.

Grassroots football often struggles with funding and infrastructure. What have been your biggest challenges?
Funding is our biggest challenge. It’s hard to raise capital in Nigeria, especially for new, untested projects. Infrastructure is also an issue, but we mitigated that by selecting states that already have adequate facilities. For now, our focus is securing the funding we need to scale.

You’re working with multiple state football associations. How crucial is local government support to your success?
Very crucial! The state football associations are the watchdogs of grassroots football development. You can’t run a league in their territory without collaborating with them. Thankfully, we have partnered officially with five out of the six states where we’ll launch. Their support has been incredible, and we see them as key stakeholders in this journey.

Where do you see AfriSportPro and its Youth League in five years? Will it expand beyond Nigeria?
This project is very ambitious. In five years, we hope to expand to at least 25 Nigerian states and three African countries. Ghana, Kenya, and Senegal are top on the list due to their football culture. We also plan to introduce a female youth league and eventually branch into other sports. AfriSportPro is Pan-African at heart, and we aim to become a continental force in youth sports development.

How would you like history to remember your role in youth football development?
Honestly, I’m not doing this to be remembered or celebrated. I’m doing it out of a deep desire to change lives.

As someone who lost years chasing a dream without the right platform, I understand what’s at stake. Many young footballers sacrifice education and end up on the streets when football doesn’t work out. This project is more than football; it’s about education, skill acquisition, and life opportunities.

If you could speak directly to a 16-year-old footballer in a remote Nigerian town, what would you say about hope, hard work, and opportunity?
I will tell them what my father told me, advice I didn’t fully heed – if you have the chance to go to school while playing football, take it. If you can learn a trade or skill, do it. Not everyone will make it in football, no matter how talented. But stay focused. Work hard. Stay clean, don’t take drugs. Be smart about your life. And if you remain committed, someone out there, maybe even AfriSportPro, will find you.