Former FF Kalmar of Sweden striker, Abiola Dauda, who now plays for Aris Petroupolis of Greece, has revealed an elaborate plan that he has set in motion to spot hidden talents once he retires from active football, Sports247 reports.
Now 37 and in the twilight of his illustrious career that took him to seven different countries before heading to roost in Greece, the dark-skinned lad, who grew up in Iyana-Sashi area of Ijanikin in Lagos, has already set machinery in motion for a career in football promotions once he quits the game.
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To achieve that vision, Dauda, who also played for Red Star Belgrade of Serbia, Vitesse of Netherlands, Hearts of Scotland, Giresunspor of Turkey and Ionikos of Greece among many others, disclosed that he earlier floated a football academy and is now in patnership with a players’ management agency.
Dauda added in an exclusive chat with Sports247: “I have been based in Greece now for the last seven years. I’m still playing active football in a third division club.
“I do have some friends that I played with, and some that I knew in the football world. I’ve met players from countries like Sweden, UK, India, America, Czech Republic and so on.”
Dauda, who friends called ‘Zidane’ during his days of playing for National Grassroots Dream Team in Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos, also revealed how his youth development efforts are yielding fruits even before he hangs his boots, as two national team players have already emerged from his stable.
He added, “At the moment, I have a boy I have been working with for the last two years, named Leonard Ngenge. Last season, he played with Ikorodu City in the NPFL and this season with Remo Stars. He was also part of the Super Eagles B team at the recent CHAN tournament.
“He’s a symbol of my biggest plan in football, which is to help the young generation of players with my experience and knowledge of the game. I want to maximise their potential and help them be better people and players.
“That is also why I created a project called BILDA Football Academy five years ago. I will focus fully on it after my playing days. My plan is to make BILDA Football Academy a place where young generation of players can come to learn, improve and grow.”
He concluded with hope and enthusiasm that the strides and contacts he has been able to achieve from playing football in several countries would come in handy to make his players’ management efforts become successful after his playing days.
“With my experience and knowledge, together with the links I’ve built from my playing career in over 19 years and various connections I’ve gained in the football world, I believe I can bring value to many young players by teaching and guiding them in becoming successful professional footballers.
“In addition, together with my partner, who is the owner of an agency called 1863 Group, we are working together to help make some of this young generation of players’ dreams come true.
“A big example in what we are doing is having 1863 Group represent players like Daniel Daga and Leonard Ngenge among many other up coming young talents in Nigeria,” Dauda enthused.
