An enthusiastic youth developer, Adejumo Raji is relishing his ongoing efforts in spotting raw talents at the grassroots and declared that he will not relent in his energetic efforts through AMG Sports Academy.
Although his side had to settle for eighth position on the final table of the N-Youth League South West Zone on Tuesday, Raji told Sports247 that he was not too disappointed, because his main target with the team is not the results.
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Raji retorted, “Of course, we do not go into a match with any thought of losing, but we are not desperate to win. This team is not basically oriented towards results on the pitch as much as we want to see our players moving to greater heights in football.”
He declared further that he pushed aside the academic certificates he got from Lagos State Polytechnic and University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), in order to concentrate fully on the development of youth talents in football.
The jocular mentor and role model, who played as a midfielder while growing up, is also using earnings from his private business ventures in solar panels, electrical installation and mechanical equipment to fund two youth clubs.
He also runs R2 Finesse Football Academy along with AMG, which began operations in 2019 at the popular red surfaced playground under Gbagada bridge in Lagos.
Recent reconstruction of the pitch at Gbagada meant Raji had to move his base to Igbobi College, but the former student of Ajayi Crowther College and Gbagada Grammar School is not bothered by inconveniences he has to go through due to the increased distance.
Raji reiterated, “I am happy with what I am doing, and I’m glad that I have committed players in my team. I also appreciate my coach for the passion he has for the job.
“It’s the same passion and love for football that made me start this team. I am passionate about developing talents from scratch and I want to take them to higher levels.
“I am aiming for a bigger league, but I’m not desperate about it. The most important thing is player development and giving these talented lads opportunities to further their careers outside the country.”
He also mentioned one of his products, Abdulrasheed Abdulraheem, who recently signed for a club in Spain, as a major shining light and becon of hope for greater things coming towards AMG Sports Academy.
