Olawale Ajimotokanin Abuja

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has said it is partnering with top Israeli club Maccabi Haifa on training football talent and developing its football academy project.

Deputy General Supervisor (Education and Training) Pastor Ezekiel Odeyemi said this recently during the opening ceremony of the church’s 2021 regional sports competition at Old Parade Ground, Zone 10, Abuja.

He said the partnership with the Israeli club would help young people and the sport as well as help establish the football academy that the church offers.

He said the visit would likely take place before the end of the year.

“In fact, we should have gone far, if it weren’t for what happened last year (containment of Covid-19). They were to visit us last year, ”Odeyemi said.

He said the RCCG was considering various camps to set up its national football academy, but the camp might not be too far from the FCT, with a hint that it could be in Nasarawa state where it has a soccer field. camping.

The pastor in charge of RCCG Region 10 said that the regional sports competition was organized in order to engage young people by leveraging the sport which has proven to be a unifying force in every culture and nation.

“And we think that by doing that, we are also working with the government to make sure that our young people are well taken care of and that we are able to discover the young people, the talent that we have in the country. When we were young we knew the strength of the football league in this country. The likes of Mudashiru Lawal were all discovered thanks to the local league. I believe that we can recover what we have lost. This is the reason why the Church collaborates with the federal government ”.

Also speaking to reporters, tournament technical director Ayal Raz described the RCCG initiative as a blessing for sport and Nigeria.

The Israeli, who has lived in Nigeria for over 30 years, said he was very happy and proud to help them.

Raz said Maccabi Haifa intends to help the church with football equipment and prepare some of the coaches who will run the football academy so they can give the boys higher level training.