It has been disclosed that continuous efforts will be channeled into ensuring that the football skills learnt in the past 14 days at the maiden Calabar Soccer Clinic, are put to better use, even as www.calitown.com can confirm that the clinic will be an annual event.
Ekanem Ekpenyong, the brain behind this initiative, who spoke exclusively with www.calitown.com at the closing ceremony of the two-week programme, organised for kids, 6 – 12 years old, at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, insisted that the only way the state can reap footballing dividends from this programme is to make it a reoccurring event. “If we continue, we will better inculcate a football philosophy in these kids and grow our pool of skilled footballers. Some day, we will point at a player or two and say we gave them their first feel of football”, he maintained.
He was also of the opinion that the past two weeks have been quite exciting for the kids, especially as part of their holiday period has been put to good use. ” It is better to occupy them with something as physical and tasking like football, so that their minds do not idle away”. Most parents at the event, spoken to, corroborated Ekpenyong’s submission. Participating kids and their parents received gifts from the organisers of the programme.
Patrick Ugbe, MD, Hit FM, Calabar, who was guest of honour at the occasion, took the kickoff before the children’s exhibition.
While the state government was commended for providing logistic support, other sponsors were also appreciated and commended for throwing their weight behind this event.