Former striker of Wimbledon of England, John Fashanu, has concluded plans to set up the first-ever Inter Sports Academy, tagged GoodLuck, Fashanu Sports Academy International, in Nigeria.
Fashanu told news men in Abuja that preparation is in top gear for the commencement of the construction of the academy which would be located in the Apo area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
He noted that the massive plot of land was given to them by the minister of the FCT, Sen. Bala Mohammed, in furtherance of the present administration agenda on sports.
He maintained that the academy has the blessing of the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who saw it as a good platform to meaningfully engage the youths of Nigeria. He said that the academy when completed would help to train Nigeria youths in diverse sports.
Fashanu also revealed that top athletes in the world like former heavyweight boxing champion, Mike Tyson, the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, former 100 meter champions, Linford Christy, Nigeria’s Nwankwo Kanu and Austin Jay Jay Okocha among many others would be partnering them in the academy.
“The FCT minister has given us a land for the building of the academy. It’s a very big plot of land which is more than enough for the kind of thing we are planning to build there.
“These world stars would come to partner us in the development of the young athletes in Nigeria. They would be in charge of each sport where they are known for. They will also conduct some workshops and clinics for the students before they go back to their base. This is not a simple project; we really mean business,” he said.
John Fashanu said the program would not be restricted to him alone as it is open to all Nigerians to come and team up in the development. He said the government had done its own by making a massive plot of land available to them, but said he would need Nigerians to join hands with him to build the academy.
“I am calling on Nigerians to sow into this project. It is a very important project because it will go a long way in engaging our youths in meaningful activities. There has never been an academy like this in Nigeria that involves all the other sports, which is why this one is different. So, anyone that wants to join us in the building of this project can personally contact me.”
