Tony John, Port Harcourt

Officials of Real Madrid Football Club and Confederation of African Football (CAF) yesterday, performed the historic foundation laying ceremony for the Real Madrid Football Academy in Port Harcourt, initiated by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

The foundation laying ceremony, which took place at the precincts of Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, attracted the President of Nigerian Football Federa- tion (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick, President of International Sports Press Association, Gianni Merlo, President, Inter- national Sports Press Association Africa, Mitchell Obi, International Sports Writers, Ex-internationals and top officials of Real Madrid Football Club.

Laying the foundation for the Academy, President of CAF, Ahmad Ahmad, said the academy was not only for Port Harcourt or Nigeria, but also for the entire continent.

He said that the Football Academy would promote international football best practices in the continent, as well as raise future stars.

Ahmad noted that the timing of the construction of the academy is a proof that God ordained it.

Initiator of the Real Madrid Football Academy and Rivers Governor, Wike, who spoke at an international press conference and during the foundation laying ceremony, said that the academy would help in building a new crop of international stars across the country.