BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
Chairman of Liam’s Height Sports Academy, Azenabor Williams Christopher has revealed why he established the academy in Lagos.
Liam’s Height Sports Academy was set up on 17, May 2024 with two players.
The Academy training ground is located at Camp 2 Football Field inside OJO Military Barracks.
Presently the academy has 18 players with two goal keepers mainly in U-17 category.
Although the academy is yet to fully participate in the major football tournaments in the streets of Lagos but several friendly matches were played with top academies since the academy was established.
Azenabor in a chat with our correspondent recently said he formed the academy as part of his own contribution to the grassroot football development in the state and secondly he also wants to give back to the society after he has retired from the active football.
“My objective is trying to give back to the society in my own little way, mostly when I remembered growing up as a barrack boy in OJO barracks Lagos, I couldn’t get the best facilities to train with but still push myself and with the help of my parents I still got to where I am today,”he said.
Azenabor also said his vision for the academy is to see his players play for the country in the future and ensure that they start their professional career in Europe.
“I am a former Nigerian police Machine and Modern Coast Rangers FC of Kenya striker who left professional football in 2017.To me I want my academy to produce future great footballers that can represent the country in every categories.
“I did not establish academy for the sake of having academy but I established it with vision and I have set the target for myself to achieve my dreams within the period of time,”he said.
Liam’s Height Sports Football Academy on Friday defeated Team 360 FC 2-0 in a friendly match played at the Tradefair mini stadium.
This victory gladdened the heart of Azenabor who said his academy is still making steady progress in their friendly matches.
“Our friendly match is to assesse the players and I am happy that the young players are playing to instructions.We want to play as many friendly matches to assess them before playing tournaments proper as from next year,”said Azenabor who doubles as Head coach of the academy.
Asked if there is room for players to join his academy, Azenabor quickly said players below age of 17 years can join the academy but noted that only good players would be considered to fully register with the academy.
“There are many football academies in Lagos but Liam’s Height Sports Academy has standard and only players who meet up our requirements and standard would be considered to join us,”he concluded.
