By Amaechi Agbo
Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has taken his passion for the game back to its roots, as his foundation donated football kits, boots and balls to grassroots academies across Akwa Ibom State.
The William Troost-Ekong Foundation made the donation on Saturday at the Uyo Township Stadium, handing out kits to seven football academies in a move aimed at strengthening youth development and the football ecosystem in the state.
Beyond the academies, the Foundation also extended support to key football stakeholders, presenting kits to: The Akwa Ibom State Referees Council, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Football Coaches Association, Players Union andLocal Football Councils.
The presentation was carried out through the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, with its Chairman, Mr Samuel Umoh, receiving and distributing the items on behalf of Troost-Ekong, who currently plays for Al Kholood FC in Saudi Arabia.
Umoh described the donation as another clear sign of Troost-Ekong’s deep commitment to football development in Akwa Ibom, noting that the foundation has already sponsored an Under-15 boys’ tournament, donated jerseys and boots to teams, supported veteran footballers and rolled out other grassroots initiatives.
“More programmes are on the way,” Umoh assured.
The beneficiary academies are: Pillars Investors Academ, KMK Academy, Blessed Stars Academy, Dynamic SPMD, Immortality Academy, Indomitable Strikers Academy and NNS Jubilee Academy
Speaking on behalf of the academies, Lady Idongesit Mbuk, proprietor of Indomitable Strikers Academy, described the donation as timely and impactful, thanking the foundation for investing in the future of young footballers.
Chairman of the Players Union in Akwa Ibom State, Comrade Maurice Silas, also praised Troost-Ekong, hailing him as a role model who has matched success on the pitch with meaningful impact off it.
