Seven players from the Katsina Football Academy have departed Nigeria for Lisbon, Portugal, to participate in the prestigious IBER Estoril International Football Tournament.

The spokesperson for the state’s Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Gide Nasir, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Katsina.

Mr Nasir said that the young footballers left through Murtala Muhammed International Airport en route to Lisbon, carrying the hopes of the state.

According to him, the players are seeking to showcase their talents on an international stage and potentially secure professional football opportunities abroad.

“The players selected for the tournament include Muhammad Hussain, Mannir Abdullahi, Ibrahim Abdu-Haro, Nura S. Nura, Muhammad Muktar Katuka, Isah Usman Ali, and Abubakar Anas.

“Their participation follows a strategic partnership between the Katsina Academy and Moonluck Football Academy, aimed at providing talented young players from the state with pathways to professional football careers.

“The partnership agreement was recently formalised by the Commissioner for Sports, Surajo Abukur, alongside Moonluck Sporting Director, Datti Umar,” he said.

Mr Nasir said the initiative forms part of the youth development drive under Governor Dikko Radda’s administration, which focuses on building opportunities for young people through sports and talent development.

He said the IBER Estoril tournament is regarded as one of the largest football scouting events in Europe.

”It is attracting participation from top academies and scouts representing leading clubs, including AS Roma, Manchester City, Juventus, Brentford FC, FC Porto, SL Benfica, and Blackburn Rovers,” he said.

Mr Nasir said that the director of the academy, Shamsuddeen Ibrahim, urged the players to be worthy ambassadors of the state while in Portugal and to seize the opportunity to attract professional contracts.

He commended the governor for his continued support and commitment to the development of sports in the state.

The spokesman said that the administration’s backing has been instrumental in the progress recorded by the academy.

He said that the players were expected to compete against top youth teams from across Europe, with scouts closely monitoring performances in search of the next generation of football talents.

(NAN)