Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday met with the leadership of the Real Madrid Foundation as part of the requirements to establish a Real Madrid affiliated football academy in the state.
Officials of Real Madrid Foundation were led by its Managing Director, Julio Gonzalez, and International Area Manager, Rosa Roncal Gimenez.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Mr Boma Iyaye, was also present at the meeting.
The meeting that held behind closed-doors at the Real Madrid Foundation office at the Santiago Bernabéu witnessed both parties concluding discussions on the areas of partnership.
In an interview after the meeting, Wike said the deliberation went on satisfactorily, noting that the partnership has reached its highpoint.
The governor said the academy would help the state harness the opportunities inherent in football as it would empower the upcoming generation.
He said: “This is the concluding part of the process of establishing a Real Madrid Academy in Rivers State. It is our dream to empower our youths through football.
“Today, you know that football is big business and one of the ways to improve the economy.
“This meeting is the height of our deliberation to get the academy started. We are happy that this has gone on satisfactorily. Rivers youths will reap the benefits of the Academy.”
Highpoint of the meeting was the presentation of a special Real Madrid jersey with “NEW” printed at the back to the Rivers State governor by the Managing Director of Real Madrid Foundation, Julio Gonzalez.
International Area Manager of Real Madrid Foundation, Rosa Roncal Gimenez, lauded the governor for the initiative to set up a Real Madrid Academy in Rivers State.
Wike was billed to meet with the Real Madrid President, Florentino Perez, later yesterday evening.
