Samsung Electronics West Africa partnered with Chelsea FC to hold the local version of Samsungs global CSR project: Samsung – Chelsea FC Dream the Blues youth football clinic at Onikan Stadium, Lagos.
According to the Managing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa, Brovo Kim, Dream the Blues aims to encourage football-loving youths from nine to 13 to achieve and grow their football dreams. The initiative is an expansion of Samsung – Chelsea FC Youth Football Camp program, which has already benefitted 5,000 youths across the world. Nigeria has a lot of promise especially in sports. This is can be seen in the wonderful performance of the super eagles so far at the African Cup of Nations. We believe that Nigeria has a lot of hidden talents and we are committed to discovering and nurturing these talents. Our commitment can be seen in initiatives like this, our sponsorship of the Nigerian Football Federation and the African Cup of Nations”
The project is a global corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative that offers youth between the ages of nine and 13 the opportunity to learn football and life skills in a two- day football clinic anchored by four Chelsea coaches.
Also, to create a level playing ground for all kids, participants are drawn from a consumer driven promo and from orphanages.
After the training, two outstanding participants are selected to proceed to Chelsea FC, Stamford Bridge, UK for further training with kids from other parts of the world.
Among the orphanages that took part in the exercise were Bab Salam (Ikeja), SOS Village (Isolo) and Compassionate Orphanage (Igando).
At the end of the training session, four outstanding participants were entered into a draw and two lucky winners - Jep Mallam (SOS Village) and Moses Oyediji (Compassionate Home) were selected to proceed to Chelsea FC, UK for further training.
“This has been a wonderful experience. I can see the Kanu’s and Okocha’s of the future being inspired to greatness. The program was a success and I see us scaling up to other parts of the country in the future. There has been tremendous support from the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Football Federation,” added Head, Corporate Marketing, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Donald Etim.