SAMSON Siasia’s Abuja-based soccer academy (SiaOne youth soccer academy) is to storm Brazil this summer for a youth soccer tournament that would usher in the world biggest sports fiesta, the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The youth soccer tournament, otherwise known as Brazil Cup is to run from July 24 to August 6 in Rio. The annual youth soccer fiesta which is attracting teams from different parts of the world would also serve as the Olympic tour.
The Nigerian partners of the organisers of the event, Serahana Sports in a statement confirmed that Dream Team coach, Samson Siasia who is the Proprietor of the SIAONE academy had endorsed the participation of the academy.
“Samson Siasia has endorsed the participation of his academy in the Brazil Cup. He is happy the academy is going to be part of the soccer fiesta party in Brazil this summer. The organisers themselves are thrilled that the academy is coming. The technical director of Athletic Center, our organising partners in Brazil, Mr Elzo Coelho who happens to be an ex Brazilian international who in fact was the MVP in the FIFA World Cup in Mexico 1986 and the president Mr Kennedy Carvalhoare were very pleased with this development,” Newman Ebiegberi of Serahana Sports said.
Ebiegberi further disclosed that all the academy needed now to land in Brazil are sponsors that would bankroll the trip which he noted will afford players the opportunity to garner international exposure.
“We urge corporate bodies in the country and the various state governments to back the academy as they prepare to hit Brazil.”
There are indications that the Niger Delta States, especially Siasia’s home state, Bayelsa, may throw their weight behind the academy. It would be noted that Bayelsa state government named the sports stadium in Yenagoa after Siasia.