The Katsina State Football Academy has reacted to the recent comments by the state’s Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development Zakari Lawal Shargalle regarding the academy’s programs and recruitment of female players.
During a press briefing on May 5th, 2024, following the visit by an official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Sheriff Abdallah, the commissioner expressed his delight and gratitude to the football body for recognising the quality of Katsina Football Academy and recommending it as a representative team for Nigeria in the upcoming Dana Cup 2024 in Denmark.
The commissioner emphasised that the academy provides not only football training but also essential life lessons in the English language, Mathematics, Computer science, Religious Knowledge, and Entrepreneurship.
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In a statement by the Sporting Director of the Academy Shamsuddeen Ibrahim, he said the commissioner encouraged all male and female youth in the state to join and benefit from these programs.
“However, it is important to clarify that the commissioner’s call for female participation was mainly focused on the other educational programs offered by the academy. At present, Katsina Football Academy does not have plans in place for the recruitment and training of female players specifically for football activities.
“We believe that the honorable commissioner’s statements may have been misquoted or misinterpreted. As such, we kindly request the general public to focus on the tremendous achievements of Katsina Football Academy and our upcoming participation in the prestigious Dana Cup 2024, one of the world’s largest football showcasing events in Denmark,” the statement added.