There are indications that some of the players paraded by Lagos-based Buruj Sports Academy have caught the fancy of some international scouts and coaches after their impressive showing at the just concluded Dubai International Super Cup, where they finished third.
A Ghanaian coach in charge of U-12s of Abu Dhabi-based Al-Ethihad football academy in UAE approached the team officials to find out about the possibility of giving a chance to some of the players to showcase their talents with a view to attracting them to fulfil their dreams of playing professional football in a not too distant future.
However, the management of Buruj Sports Academy in a bid not to expose the young players to any undue pressure are still keeping the matter to their chest, as they insist that due process must be followed as they seek the consent of their parents and get necessary assurance from any club that have interest in them.
“We were contacted by one of the coaches of one of the best football academies in UAE and entire Middle East, Al-Etihad, after spotting some of our players,” the Managing Director of Buruj Academy, Salaudeen Waheed, said.
“As far as we in Buruj Sports Academy are concerned, we are never about blocking players from seizing opportunities like that but we are sticklers to due process.
“Those who approached us understood our position very well and if they can fulfil all the conditions and play by the rules, why not? We’ve been in this business for quite sometime now and we are not unaware of how to go about allowing players to undergo trials. One thing we will not allow is to abandon our players to be at the mercy of shylock football agents who only want to make profit at the expense of the players’ career evolution.
“The names of the four players will be made public in due course; just as negotiations between all the parties concerned are ongoing.”
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