- I Want To Replicate Drogba’s Success – Ivorian Trainee
Participants at the ongoing Cowbell Football Academy Summer Camp have been counselled against self-medication, as the habit might lead them into doping and destroy their career.
This was the admonition of Akin Amoo, a renowned anti-doping crusader, who has worked with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at different capacities, at the annual youth development initiative of Cowbell Football Academy, a corporate social responsibility platform of Cowbell Milk, a premium brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited. The three-week camp was flagged-off on July 23, 2018, by the first Vice President of NFF, Mr Seyi Akinwunmi.
Amoo said many athletes consumed performance-enhancement substances unknown to them. He, therefore, warned young football talents not to inculcate in the habit but to consult professional physicians when they are ill.
He said: “While you are still nurturing your skills, you must do away with self-medication. Doping has ruined the careers of many great talents, and many people take such substances unknown to them. You must shun self-medication.”
Amoo spoke to hundreds of kids between the ages of four and 18 years, including an 11-year old Ivorien, Yassie Kra, who are taking part in the camp.
Kra, who nursed the ambition to replicate the feat of Ivorian legend Didier Drogba, said he was encouraged to participate in the Summer Camp by the quality of training, tactical discipline and reputation of the organisers.
“Since I started training, I have learnt so much about dribbling and passing. I also know better how to control the ball with the head and chest. I have improved tremendously,” Kra reflected, adding that his hope of stepping into “the big shoes” of Drogba is getting brighter.
According to the Head of Legal and Corporate Corporation at Promasidor Nigeria, MMrAndrew Enahoro, the company is committed to the dream of Cowbell Football Academy and expanding its scope despite the harsh economy owing to its desire to positively impact Nigerian youths.
“This is just one of our youth-centric CSRs. Through Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics Television Quiz Competition, we are also stimulating young people’s interest in Mathematics. For us, it is not only about bottom-line but also about the future of the Nigerian child,” Enahoro explained.
Over 250 young talents participate in the camp taking place at the National Stadium, Lagos.
Besides Cowbell Football Academy, Promasidor Nigeria also reaches out to Nigerian youths through Harness Your Dream, a career awareness workshop for public secondary school students, Loya Swim Meet and Cowbellpedia and other initiatives.
