Kanu Football Camp: Greensprings Marked 10th Edition with Full Scholarship for 3 Students

In celebration of the 10th edition of the Greensprings/Kanu Football Camp, Mrs Lai Koiki, our CEO has awarded full educational scholarships to three students “Omotolani Adesokan,” “Emmanuel Okunola,” and “Joy Ibebuchi” for their outstanding performance during the football camp. Notably, for the first time, a female student, Joy Ibebuchi, was among the scholarship recipients who had previously all been male students.

The scholarship announcement took place at the closing ceremony of the football camp on April 11, 2024. Distinguished guests, including Alhaji Liameed Gafar, Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association; and Leonie Van Stiji, Deputy Consul General for the Netherlands in Lagos, joined Mrs Lai Koiki and other members of Greensprings School’s Senior Leadership Team to celebrate the successful conclusion of the camp, renowned for nurturing future football stars.

Over 200 students, aged 5 to 17, from various schools across Nigeria, participated in the intensive four-day football training, where they honed their football skills under the guidance of European coaches from the Netherlands and the Lagos State Football Association. Apart from football, the participants engaged in a range of sporting activities such as swimming, basketball, volleyball etc, while evenings were filled with recreational activities like movie nights and variety shows.

At the closing ceremony, Mr Kanu Nwankwo conveyed his congratulations to the participants via virtual messaging, as he was indisposed to make it physically. Addressing the participants, he emphasized the importance of discipline and diligence in their football endeavours. Past scholars of the camp also shared video testimonials. They underscored the transformative impact of the initiative and urged current students to take the training they have received seriously.

In his remarks, Gafar Liameed, Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, lauded Greensprings for its positive influence on children’s lives through football and education. He commended the annual football camp for its contribution to grassroots development and acknowledged the valuable role of the educational scholarship in providing recipients with a conducive environment for academic and athletic growth.

Following speeches and awards presentations, the highlight of the evening was the announcement of the full scholarship recipients. The audience erupted with joy as the three students were awarded full scholarships to study at Greensprings School.

The awardees and their families expressed heartfelt gratitude to the school for the life-changing opportunity. They recognised it as a dream fulfilled and a pathway to academic excellence and football success.

The Greensprings/Kanu Football Camp, a collaborative effort between Greensprings School and Kanu Nwankwo’s Heart Foundation, has impacted over 2000 participants since its inception in 2012, producing talented players who have represented Nigeria and pursued professional careers in football. With 16 students now awarded educational scholarships, the camp continues to inspire and empower young athletes to achieve their dreams.