Ex-U.S footballer, Mike Potempa, has advised upcoming footballers against abandoning education because of football.
Potempa gave the advice at the Soccer Mentoring Programme organised by Eunice Spring of Life Foundation (ESLF), on Tuesday, in Makurdi.
He further emphasised that instead they should combine both education and football for their overall good.
“Your football career could be taken away from you any day and anytime but the education you acquired cannot be taken away from you.
“If you have some injuries you cannot play football again and that would mark the end of your football career, but if you were educated while playing football it would then help you to indulge in things that can help you to assist yourselves,” Potempa said.
Meanwhile, the founder, ESLF, Dr Eunice Ortom, disclosed that the programme was organised in order to help the young and talented footballers who wanted to develop it, to be mentored by ex-internationals.
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She said that she wanted the young persons in Benue to achieve their maximum success in football for those who chose football as their career.
“I want these young persons to be known globally and that is why I want them to be mentored by these world acclaimed footballers.
“Pay rapt attention to them because you have a lot to learn under their tutelage,” she said.
Ex-international, Tijani Babangida, admonished the upcoming footballers to always display their best at the slightest opportunity, stressing that it was the only sure way that they could be recognised and popular.
“If you are good in shooting, passing and heading display it at any given opportunity,” Babangida said.
He further advised them against taking drugs, adding that their career would be ruined if they indulged in it.
Moses Kpakor, advised coaches to always make themselves available to their players so as to address their concerns and give them direction.
Also, Ex-international, Emmanuel Babayaro, told them to work towards converting their dreams to reality.
