By Amaechi Agbo
African Children Talents Discovery Foundation, ACTDF a Non-governmental Organisation that specializes in discovering and grooming talented Nigeria sports children have doled out a whopping N1.722 billion for scholarship of 14 Talented Basketball Players to study and play the slamming and dunking game in the United States of America, USA and Canada.
This was was disclosed by the chairman, ACTDF, and sponsor, Mr Noah Dallaji in Abuja on Monday.
Speaking during a press conference at the ACTDF head office, Mr Dallaji said that each of the 14 Talented basketball players discovered at the recently concluded Noah Dallaji Legacy Basketball Tournament in Kano state will be sponsored and the academy studies and basketball grooming and development all taking care off by the foundation.
He noted that each student/player will be sponsored with $300,000 US Dollars adding that the first five batch of the players will leave the country any moment once their paper works are completed.
“These 14 boys have gained scholarship in one of the most prestigious Universities in the world for free of charge. Each of them will cost a minimum of $300, 000 US Dollars to the foundation, (Africa Children Talent Discovering Foundation, ACTDF,” Mr Dallaji disclosed
“This is an opportunity given to them to help them in their education and play their game to the highest level. The first batch will travel in three weeks time after we have completed their paper works.
“Nigeria can be great if we help the youths to discover their talents and support them to grow and achieve fulfillment. That is how great nations emerge.”
The five players are part of 14 outstanding players at the just-concluded Noah Dallaji Legacy Basketball Tournament in Kano who were picked for further mentoring at various universities in the United States (U.S) and Canada,
The unveiling of the five players who are among the first batch took place on Monday at the African Children Talents Discovery Foundation (ACTDF) head office in Abuja. The event saw former Super Eagles forward and Special Adviser To The President On Sports, Daniel Amokachi, Emmanuel Babayaro, former D’Tigers captain, Olumide Oyedeji and other stars hailing the gesture of Chairman of ACTDF, Engineer Noah Dallaji for shining lights in the lives of the basketball players.
According to the Tournament Director, Olumide Oyedeji, among the 14 students picked for further nurturing in various universities in the United States, five players have been selected to be in the first batch while others will join once their paper works are completed. The five players are; Emmanuel Peters from Bauchi State, Taiwo Abraham from Kebbi, Samuel Alphonso, Daubunachule Ibrahim and Solomon Ominu all from Kaduna will travel to their different schools in America to further their study and basketball careers.
Also speaking at the event, Daniel Amokachi advised that they should do everything to protect the name written at the back of their jerseys and be a good ambassador of Nigeria.
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Emmanuel Babayaro described Engineer Noah Dallaji as Super Enigma and Pillar of of the Nation who surrounded himself with the right set of people. He added that Dallaji is doing what no other person in African could not do.
