Former Nigerian international Emmanuel Emenike has revealed to footballlive.ng that giving back to the community and also an opportunity to see talented Nigerian kids achieve their aim of playing abroad is the main reason for starting the Emmanuel Emenike Future XI which is ongoing at the Lagacy and NIS pitches of the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.
The former Spatak Moscow striker a product of the Oba Cup in Isolo a talent scouting tournament mentioned that the Emenike Future XI tournament is a project close to his heart at that is the major reason he has decided to launch the project at this time.
“This programme did not start today. It is something that has been in the pipeline for a very long time. I decided that now is the time because I believe in giving back to the community also giving young talented players the opportunity to show what they are capable of.”
A total of 32 teams will be part of the talent hunt programme which will be played in a knock out format with the best of scouts across the world coming out to look for the next big star that will tow the line of the former Super Eagles goal merchant.
Emenike at the parley organized for the press in Lagos said he is still in contact with a host of former team’s he played for and he believes that in time there will be opportunities for players from the tournament there. “We still have a long way to go, as for the former team’s i played for, the likes of Spatak Moscow, Fernabache and others I’ll still work with them but for now I am working with my agent and academy.”
Chairman of the main organizing committee Uche Ugwu has promised fairness to all participating teams also informing them that the ultimate goal of the project is to get the players the needed exposure and not winning the 300, 000 naira prize money.
