ECN Global Football Academy of Gwagwalada-Abuja has outlined a very broad scheme that would help the youth development project achieve a greater impact that goes beyond its immediate vicinity within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Sports247 gathered that the team has already achieved a lot of milestone feats since its formation in 2023 and its projections keep expanding, even as more teenagers continue storming their training ground at Bako Primary School, Kwali-Abuja.
These achievements have been made possible through effective leadership efforts and visionary programmes of the academy’s executive director, Patrick Nwaogu (aka Odogwu) and the chief executive officer, Emmanuel Nwaogu.
Incidentally, Patrick Nwaogu is also the executive director of ECN Global Ventures Limited, publishers of Exclusive News online newspaper, as well as a former sporting director of Abia Warriors FC of Umuahia.
‘Odogwu’ is also the current vice-chairman of FCT Football Association, secretary of FCT Coaches Association and coordinator of Unity Pre-season Tournament, all of which have given him a solid profile that boosts his efforts with the academy on a daily basis.
His impact is currently shaping the formative years of the team’s attacking midfielder and senior captain, Ahmed Rufai, whose efforts and dedicated service have encouraged other talented youngsters in the academy to stay committed for glory with the team.
Nwaogu disclosed in a chat with Sports247, “The boys are all dedicated and committed. They have huge ambitions. We are happy that we’ve been able to shape their development and they’ve been winning competitions for the team.
“Among the competitions the academy has won are 2023 Gwagwalada U13 Cup and Gwagwalada 2025 U17 Champions. We were also runners-up in 2024 Gwagwalada U15 Championship as well as the 2024 Kwali Coaches Cup.
“Other achievements include third place in 2024 Gwagwalada Ramadan Cup and runners-up in 2025 Mortgage FM/FCT Inter Area Councils Tournament. We are currently preparing to take part in all youth competitions within our vicinity.”
The well-respected football promoter and technocrat concluded by disclosing his projections for the ongoing year, which include plans that should see the outfit produce players for the youth national teams, but quickly added that they need support to achieve their targets.
“Our biggest target for this year is to produce key players for Nigeria’s youth national teams – Baby Eagles, Golden Eaglets, Flying Eagles and Under-23 Eagles.. We call it creating a national team in the national teams
“We have huge plans and targets, but these cannot be achieved without an enabling environment. That’s why I use this opportunity to once again call on governments at all levels to stop playing lip service to grassroots development of sports.
“Corporate bodies and individuals should also support the development of football right from the onset, not to identify with teams only when they win titles. They should invest into grassroots football from the beginning,” Nwaogu advocated.
