By EHIGIMETOR IGBAUGBA

The Cross River Government says it will establish a football talent-hunt programme to identify, develop and sponsor talented young footballers to professional clubs outside Nigeria.

Kalita Aruku, Chairman, Cross River State Youth Empowerment Scheme, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Thursday.

Aruku said the initiative which would be coordinated by his office, was designed to provide a pathway for young footballers to progress from local pitches to professional football.

He described the programme as unprecedented, saying it would set a new benchmark for youth empowerment in the state and Nigeria.

According to him, the initiative will involve established footballers, experienced coaches and professional scouts who will be brought to the state to identify promising talents.

He said the talents would be identified through organised football competitions and other grassroots development activities.

Aruku said players considered good enough to secure opportunities with clubs abroad would receive financial support to enable them take up such opportunities.

“The initiative will address one of the major challenges confronting young Nigerian footballers which is lack of resources to travel after being identified or invited by foreign clubs.

“Most of the time, the challenge we have is that most of our young persons who have been invited to play outside the country do not have the resources to move.

“So, that is where the government is going to come in.

“Once these players are scouted and deemed good enough to be sponsored out of the country to wherever clubs need their services, the government will support them,” he said.

The chairman said the government would enter into agreements with relevant partners to ensure the sustainability of the programme.

He added that mechanisms would also be established to manage returns from players who eventually became successful professional footballers.

Aruku said the initiative would not only promote sports development but also create opportunities for young people to build sustainable careers through football.

He expressed optimism that the programme would help discover talents capable of representing Cross River and Nigeria at national and international levels. (NAN)