Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has met football megastar Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos as he wrapped up negotiations to establish a football academy in the state.
Wike and some of his aides visited the Spanish capital earlier this week to seal the Academy deal after meeting a team from the Real Madrid Foundation at the Santiago Bernabeu, the stadium of the Spanish club.
“This is the concluding part of the process of establishing a Real Madrid Academy in Rivers State. It is our dream to empower our youths through football. Today, you know that football is big business and one of the ways to improve the economy”, Wike said
“This meeting is the height of our deliberation to get the Academy started. We are happy that this has gone on satisfactorily. Rivers youths will reap the benefits of the Academy,” he stressed.
A customized jersey with his initials was presented to him by Julio Gonzales, Managing Director of the Real Madrid Foundation.
“International Area Manager of Real Madrid Foundation , Rosa Roncal Gimenez lauded the governor for the initiative to set up a Real Madrid Academy in Rivers State.
But the real deal of the day for Wike and his team was the meeting with the stars, Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos. NAN
