Barcelona to establish a football academy in Nigeria

Ambode disclosed this while receiving the senior management staff of the football club.

He described the development as a historic moment for the state, saying it was indeed a thing of joy coming at a time when the government was still basking in the euphoria of the successful hosting of an international marathon.

The governor, who restated the importance of sports to integration and development, said that sports were the future of service to create a platform for youth employment and youth engagement in Lagos.

Pau Vilanovai Vila-Abadal, Director of Business and Member of FC Barcelona Management Board, said Barcelona decided to establish its Academy in Lagos due to the impressive population of the state, and the opportunity to share the philosophy of the team with the state.

Oscar Grau, Worldwide Director of Barcelona Academy, said players like Messi, Iniesta, Sergio Busquet, Pique, among others, all started from such an academy.

Source: Xinhua, February 23, 2016