Amokachi partners International Star Network in talent hunt

Organisers of the event have also chosen Super Eagles’ former striker, Daniel Amokachi, to anchor of the programme. According to the project director, Ihioma Okechukwu, the programme is to help budding and established stars realise their ambition of playing abroad without going for trial, which may never yield any good result.

“What International Stars Network has decided to do is to bring the representatives of European clubs in direct contact with the players,” he said. “Any player deemed good will get a contract with the clubside that wants his services.

“Already, we have agreement with Dynamo Kiev, Seville, Auxerre, FC Olympia of Moldova and Barcelona to be part of the programme. We are also talking to other clubs willing to be part of the programme.

“We are also careful about the clubs we choose so that the players will not warm benches in Europe. We are going to give them the opportunity to start their European careers in modest clubs”

Okechukwu said the project, which has taken the organisation four years to plan, would take place in all states of the federation as against the zoning formula adopted by organisers of previous event. According to him, the organisers decided to go to all the states in order to give every talented footballer the chance to showcase his skill.

He noted that zoning the event would prevent people from being part of the programme. Amokachi, he explained, was chosen to anchor the programme because he started his career from the grassroots and would help in sourcing talent, which he noted, was on the decline in the country.

Amokachi commended the organisers for giving Nigerians the opportunity to show their skills and get the opportunity of plying their trades abroad. He added: “The attraction for me is that the clubs are coming down to Nigeria and I believe that talents abound here. That is why I am deeply involved in the programme.”