BY CARLOS ISAN
THE Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Entrepreneurship Development, Dr Donald Peterson, delivering a keynote address during the opening ceremony of the Peterson U-17 Soccer Tournament in Agbor Township Stadium on Saturday.
Dr Donald Peterson Under-17 Soccer Tournament for youths in Ika land kicked off on Saturday, November 15, 2024. The tournament organized by the Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Entrepreneurship Development, Dr Donald Peterson in collaboration with the Peterson Foundation, started at Agbor Township Stadium and has been scheduled to last for two weeks.
Speaking during the opening event between Ultimate Stars vs. Ihu Iyase under 17 teams, Dr Peterson said that the essence of the competition discover hidden football talents in the area that could be nurtured over time for more glorious exploits in future He noted that there is a need to utilize the demographic advantage of the youth population by discovering their potential for socio-economic development as such has become a great advantage in the developed world and would be ultimately utilized for our general good. “ I want to thank you for being part of this occasion as history is being made for the wellbeing of our communities, where we all join hands to support the discovery of talents in Ika land.
“I know that talents are resources, just like crude oil and solid minerals. What we are doing is mining these resources and bringing out the best from them as refined products that are readily marketable. Doing so, will not be easy, but it is doable, although the process of mining these resources is not an easy one, as it takes time and pains for us to get it right, we will do it. If you look at players like Cristiano Ronaldo who some years ago was selling things on the streets of Portugal, today, he is a world-famous player and a billionaire. How did it happen?
“According to statistics 65 per cent of the population is made up of youths who are interested in football. Like I told you, I may not know how to play football and not understand it. One thing I understand is Business and Economics, so, what I bring to bear is the business of football. That is connecting talent to purpose. The essence is to put the youths in their rightful positions in life and that will help the entire society”, he concluded.
