The Meadow Hall Summer Football Camp with Daniel Amokachi came to a close on Sunday, 23rd July, 2017. The camp which commenced on Tuesday 18th July, 2017 at Meadow Hall, Lekki, Lagos, offered children from ages 4-17 years the opportunity to take their budding interest in football to the next level. Over the 5 days, there were numerous different activities and drills to not only keep the kids entertained, but also to teach them the basics of the game. Throughout the Summer Football Camp, Amokachi was thoroughly hands-on and his passion to guide and improve the children was clear to see.
The final day of the Summer Football Camp began with parents of the participants being able to watch the children compete against one another and showcase the skills they acquired over the period. It was a spectacle, as you could see the parents’ faces beaming with pride as they saw their potential superstars striding along the turf.
The closing ceremony opened shortly after with a good will message from the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) Chairman Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi, who had a lot of positive words to say about the continued ‘progress of Meadow Hall’. He continued, ‘I was here when they first opened the turf, and they explained how serious they were about sports; I am happy to see they have fulfilled that’. In a further interview, he described the great job Meadow Hall does in ‘not just creating football talent but also developing social skills’ and also the fact that the Lagos State Football Association(LSFA) can boast ‘the best grassroots football scheme’ in Nigeria. He is happy to see schools like Meadow Hall continue to push the effort. Lastly, he mentions his main focus in the State, which is to ensure that ‘football isn’t seen as an alternative, but rather as a supplement to school work’ and he is going around schools that share this idea, to continue to ‘encourage them to keep up the good work’
Next up, was Daniel Amokachi, who showed his appreciation, saying, ‘It’s a pleasure to be wanted; its grace from heaven when an institution like Meadow Hall wants to partner with you’. He commended Meadow Hall for the dedication to not just football, but all sports, and mentioned their array of facilities, including basket-ball, volleyball and tennis courts, as well as an athletics track, swimming pool and of course, their football pitch. He emphasized that this is a ‘great platform for the next generation’. As he closed, he spoke of at least 6 participants who could potentially become football stars in the future with ‘hard work, dedication and the right guidance’. Amokachi thanked parents of the participants for the support and encouragement given to their children.
The ceremony continued with certificates being handed to all the participants by the guests of honour as well as the coaches who passionately taught them over the 5- day period. Mr. Onome Obruthe, parent of a participant, praised Meadow Hall for their encouragement of girls to play alongside their male counterparts; saying ‘Sport is meant for both sexes, and I’m delighted my daughter had a great time at the Meadow Hall Summer Football Camp with Daniel Amokachi’. Other interviews with parents and their children were positive, as many were ‘enthusiastic’ about the skills learnt and some even claimed their child’s ‘interest in football’ had increased due to the fun they had over the period. Many commended Meadow Hall and declared they’re already looking forward to the next edition.
The final word came from Meadow Hall Group’s Executive Director, Business Affairs- Mr. Charles Imevbore, who thanked Mr. Akinwunmi for Lagos State’s continued support, and boldly stated, ‘we are already looking forward to the 3rd edition with our friend Daniel Amokachi’. He described Mr. Amokachi as a ‘great ambassador of football both here and abroad’ and expressed his delight in Meadow Hall being able to work with him.
The commitment of both Daniel Amokachi and Meadow Hall to developing the next crop of football stars is clear to see, and we look forward to what they have planned for their next Football Camp.
Meadow Hall Group is passionate about the holistic development of children. At Meadow Hall, their shared vision is to raise excellent, Godly and well-rounded children who will attain their highest potential in life and become lifelong learners.
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