By Dipo Olowookere
The efforts of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell milk, Loya Milk, Top tea and other food products, in sponsoring the Cowbell Football Academy (CFA) have been commended by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
The CFA is an initiative aimed at developing sports in the country by creating an enabling platform for children and youths to express themselves through sports, academics and extra-curricular activities thereby adding to the nation’s human capital development.
Speaking at the grand finale of the 2016 Summer Camp, which took place at the main bowl of the national stadium in Surulere, Lagos recently, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, First Vice President of the NFF explained that the CFA initiative was contributing immensely to the development of football in Nigeria.
According to him, ‘apart from catching the young school children and schooling them on football, the NFF has also realized they are being taught discipline, interpersonal and communication skills which help them excel in any endeavour.’
He added that the NFF has seen significant changes and improvement over the years through the contributions of the Cowbell football initiative to the nation’s sporting activities. He therefore commended Promasidor for their diverse CSR initiatives that greatly impact Nigerian children and youths particularly in the areas of sports and academics.
Mr Akinwunmi reiterated the need for the private sector to join hands as a team and develop sports in the nation adding that the government cannot do it alone.
He also called on parents to key into the initiative by enrolling their wards in the academy as a way of ensuring their mental and physical well-being. He gave Promasidor kudos for not just supporting the initiative, but most importantly sustaining the support over the years.
The Rector, Cowbell Football Academy (CFA), Mr Godwin Dudu-Orumen expressed gratitude to Promasidor for sponsoring the initiative, which has ensured the realization of the academy’s objective of improving and developing sports in the country. He explained that the academy which catches the youngsters would groom them physically and mentally through their early years into young adulthood when they will be ready to face bigger challenges and opportunities in sports. He also expressed gratitude to parents who have allowed their kids to be part of the academy.
The CFA initiative is an all year football academy that caters for young football talents in the country, and is particularly opened for young children, students and youths, which seek to provide a 360 development opportunity for them.
The Summer Camp is also part of the academy but with specific focus on involving students in boarding houses during the summer holidays from July to August.
The academy currently has three centres, located in Lagos, Ikorodu and Benin, and Promasidor Nigeria Limited has been the sponsor of the academy for the fourth year running.