PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

U.S. Embassy concludes Two-Day Soccer Clinic for Youth

Date: October 12-13, 2006
Venue: Abuja

Lagos participants with Marcelo Balboa.

Teamwork, respect, leadership and conflict resolution, and how these qualities can translate into life skills and academic achievement, were the focus of a soccer clinic organized by the U.S. Embassy Nigeria and U.S. Sports Federation in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Sports Council Abuja, from October 12-13, 2006

Three soccer veterans - Marcelo Balboa, Lauren Gregg and Chief Festus Onigbinde conducted the soccer clinic with no fewer that 800 school kids in attendance at the Garki Area 1 Sports  Stadium, Abuja.  Marcelo Balboa is three-time World Cup veteran and U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee while Lauren Gregg remains the first woman to serve as an assistant coach for any of U.S. Soccer's national teams.  Chief Onigbinde is FIFA’s technical instructor and former National Coach of the Super Eagles.

Lauren Gregg demonstrates ball possession to some of the participants.

In his remarks at the closing ceremony, Tijani Yusuf who represented the Sports Minister thanked the U.S. Embassy for such an initiative that has “tremendous ability to foster U.S./Nigeria friendship in addition to grooming talents among Nigerian youths.”  Embassy Country Public Affairs Officer Atim George, Tijani Yusuf and Lauren Gregg presented certificates to the participants.  On Thursday, October 12, the duo of Marcelo Balboa and  Lauren Gregg had briefed the media on programs for Abuja and Lagos during the PAS Press Briefing in Abuja.  

The Soccer Clinics is a World Cup Sports Initiative of U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes.  Youths in four countries South Africa, Bahrain, Uganda and Nigeria are participating in the soccer clinics.