It was glitz, glamour, pure spectacle and the best of grassroots football as renowned Lagos based organization, Ignite Megastars held its season 2 players’ audition.
Notable for it’s unmatchable penchant for providing platforms and opportunities for otherwise talented but less privileged footballers from the streets, this year’s edition which was held on Saturday, April 5, featured well over 254 players at the Legacy Pitch, Surulere in Lagos.
While speaking to the media after the successful event, Founder/Managing Director of Ignite Megastars, Vize Daniyan said it’s a platform designed to provide visibility to talented grassroots players.
She further stated that Ignite Megastars is a sports technical curve that they had to put in place so that people playing football under the bridges, remote places are seen and scouted by professionals and foreign clubs.
“We have 254 young footballers registered for this program where our judges and coaches will select the best 60 that will enter the main tournament.
“The essence is for them to further have the chance to be seen by the entire world via our sport tech platform, where they can also be voted for by fans and possibly be selected for professional football abroad or locally.
Vize stated that it’s a calling which the idea struck her during her MBA program studies while she was trying to learn about Spanish football.
“You know Spain is different from Nigeria so we had to tailor this to suite Nigeria, she opined.
“We had to review the situation to find out where the problem lies and we realized that we have numerous talents but the problem is that there are not enough platforms for these players to showcase themselves which is while we created these platforms where players who are not registered with academies or club sides can register for free on out website, watched, selected and possibly have the chance to play professionally.
“We will be bringing international scouts very soon to watch the top 60 players during the Ignite Megastars program, concluded.
However, co – founder of Ignite Megastars, Engr Oloyede Olutayo Roberts added that the program is all about creating a sports ecosystem where they get players to meet people who are also interessted in encouraging their talents and also get viewers to pick from the best of the best talents that we have in the country.
“We’re creating a sports ecosystem using technology to drive it. We will also teach the players leadership skills because we have seen great players who ruined their career due to lack of leadership skills, he enthused.
One of the judges, Taiwo Eniegwa, a former national team player but presently a coach, expressed satisfaction about the program.
“This is a very good opportunity for the young ones, our special thanks to the organisers.
