Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has rewarded players and officials of the state-sponsored Real Madrid Academy with ₦50 million following their participation in an international football tour in Southampton, United Kingdom.
Fubara announced the reward when the academy’s management, officials and players visited him at Government House in Port Harcourt to present a trophy they won during the tour.
The delegation included 60 students and 12 staff members who took part in the international football programme, which provided the young players with an opportunity to develop their skills, gain international exposure and experience football beyond Nigeria.
The governor praised the academy’s management and officials for their commitment to developing young talents. He also commended the students for their discipline and good conduct throughout the trip.
Fubara acknowledged that the academy, which combines formal education with structured football training, was established by his predecessor. However, he assured the delegation that his administration would continue to support the initiative.
He stressed that beneficial programmes should not be abandoned simply because they were introduced by a previous administration, adding that his government remained committed to projects that improve the socio-economic well-being of Rivers residents.
The governor also pledged to begin efforts immediately to address the academy’s infrastructure and funding challenges, promising to work towards providing a better environment for students to pursue their academic and sporting ambitions.
Fubara urged the young players to take both their education and football training seriously, noting that although professional football offers significant financial opportunities, academic qualifications remain important for their future.
He highlighted the economic opportunities in the global football industry and encouraged the students to embrace discipline, hard work and determination to maximise their potential.
According to the governor, the international tour was designed to expose the students to the realities of football at the global level, broaden their outlook and build their confidence to compete beyond their immediate environment.
He also expressed satisfaction with reports that some academy players had attracted interest from international football teams looking to recruit them, describing the development as evidence of the opportunities that international exposure can create.
In separate remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma; the academy’s principal, Prudence Isaac-Harry; the tour facilitator; and former Super Eagles player Ida Peterson commended Fubara for sustaining government sponsorship of the academy and supporting the students’ participation in the international football programme.
