The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) U-17 camp has commenced in Abuja, marking a significant step towards developing the country’s next generation of football talents. The two-week camp, held at the Goodluck Jonathan Athletes Performance Hostel inside the FIFA Goal Project of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, brings together 30 promising young players selected from the inaugural NPFL Youth League.
The camp aims to provide a platform for these youngsters to hone their skills, gain valuable experience, and potentially secure a spot in the national team. The 30 players, representing various NPFL clubs, were chosen from the five zonal qualifiers held in February across different locations in Nigeria.
Notably, NPFL champions Rangers Youth Team has seven representatives, followed by Remo Stars Youth Team with six, and Rivers United, winners of the maiden NPFL U17 Youth League, with five players. Other participating teams include Plateau United, Katsina United, Lobi Stars, Abia Warriors, and Sunshine Stars.
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The NPFL through this initiative is committed to grassroots development and creating a sustainable pipeline of talented players for the future. By investing in youth development, the league aims to enhance the overall quality of Nigerian football and produce players capable of competing at the highest levels.
The NPFL U-17 camp is a crucial step towards achieving this goal, providing a nurturing environment for young players to grow and develop their skills. As the camp progresses, football enthusiasts and fans can expect to see the emergence of fresh talents who will shape the future of Nigerian football.
The NPFL would hope to use this off-season period for the exercise in preparation for the 2024/2025 professional football season.