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Irons seal historic partnership

nigeria_726_1West Ham United’s relationship with the Club’s first African partner was confirmed at a ceremony in Nigeria.

In a statement on the official website the club revealed: ‘The Hammers agreed a historic partnership with Nigeria Premier League side FC Ifeanyi Ubah as part of the long-term agreement signed with the club’s principal investor Capital Oil and Gas Ind. Ltd in August.

The partnership between West Ham and FC Ifeanyi Ubah, which will see the clubs work together to produce and develop young Nigerian footballers, was confirmed at a gala event in the West African country’s largest city, Lagos.

Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, who founded Capital Oil and Gas in 2001 and bought the club which now bears his name in 2015, welcomed West Ham’s managing director Angus Kinnear and a host of leading dignitaries from Nigeria’s political and sporting worlds to the launch event.

Also present at the partnership launch event were the Chairman of Nigeria’s National Assembly Sports Committee Senator Joseph Ogba, Nigerian Football Federation Chairman Amaju Pinnick, League Management Company Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, Ministry of Sports Permanent Secretary Solomon Dalung and members of the FC Ifeanyi Ubah coaching staff.

Alongside them sat a who’s who of Nigerian football, including former internationals Taribo West, Peter Rufai, Victor Ikpeba, Victor Agali, Julius Aghahowa and Henry Nwosu, as well as current Super Eagles midfielder John Ogu.

Dr Ubah said:  “Our vision is to get kids involved in football. Nigeria is a nation of over 180 million people. Nothing should stop us from producing the future Cristiano Ronaldos and Lionel Messis of these world.

“We have at least 18 areas why we are partnering with West Ham United ranging from scouting and merchandising to going to England to play friendly matches, among others. We chose West Ham United because they are famed for running the best academy in the world.

“With this partnership with West Ham United, we are going to be producing over 50,000 footballers in [FC Ifeanyi Ubah’s home state of] Anambra soon.”

Our vision is to get kids involved in football. Nigeria is a nation of over 180 million people. Nothing should stop us from producing the future Cristiano Ronaldos and Lionel Messis of these world
Kinnear said: “We believe FC Ifeanyi Ubah are ideal partners as they share West Ham’s vision and ambition for youth football development,” Kinnear confirmed. “We are delighted to seal our first partnership in Africa. We will focus initially at the grass roots level where it has the capacity to turn young lives around.

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

One comment on “Irons seal historic partnership

  1. Whilst they are there – apparently I have a long lost relative who recently passed away leaving me a small fortune – could they pass on my bank details please?

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