Diamond Football Academy on Thursday kicked off her 7th year anniversary celebrations “Diamond Cup”,at the Diamond Football Academy Stadium, Lodu, Umuahia, Abia State.
This year’s edition will feature sixteen (16) football academies from across Nigeria. Several European scouts and International licensed agents are expected to attend the football fiesta.
The President of the Club Martin Ikechukwu Apugo described the end of the Year 2019 Diamond Cup/party as exceptional for the Club following their achievements over the years,as the Club had witnessed a turn around since 7 years of her establishment .
Apugo expressed excitement that the Club has stood to become one of the best Academies in Nigeria by records through the number of players they have produced who now ply their trade in Europe.
“Every year we keep improving and this year 2019 is an exceptional year for Diamond Academy,”so in terms of branding you can see a lot of difference ,and what we want to achieve is to show to the world that Diamond is not only the best Academy in nigeria,but an exceptional one.
He also promised to make the tournament more bigger by February by bringing Manchester City scouts to Africa with the sole aim of discovering talents the way Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze was discovered.
The Turkey scouts commended the standard of the organization of the tournament including the nature of the pitch and thanked Martin Apugo for embarking on developmental project with the Diamond Cup, saying that they are taking note of some of the players in the tournament.
Nigeria Under 17 player Emmanuel Ugoala who played for Diamond team B against Eagles Eye football Club of Oyo, maintained that Diamond Academy has given him the platform to improve on his career and expressed the believe that he can bring his experience to bear as a national team player.
Ekwugha Stanley Nnamdi who will be hitting Belgium in Europe soon promised to make Diamond proud,while Harry Imo of Eagle Eyes team of Uyo was happy to be in a tournament.
This years tournament will feature Award presentation to some former nigerian national team coaches and players.
The closing ceremony will have in attendance top Nigerian sports personalities which includes Former Super Eagles Captains; Peter Rufai, Uche Okechukwu, Yisa Sofoluwe, former Golden Eaglets Coach, Ambassador Fanny Amun, Coach Salisu Yusuf, John Obuh and other top sports media personalities who will be honoured with the Diamond Sports Achievement Awards. There will also be a presentation of scholarship letter to a female 19 year Keke operator in Umuahia as part of Diamond Football Academy Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS).
