Udinese FC of Italy  Wednesday promised to sustain its partnership with Uplift Football team by ensuring “a wider collaboration” with the wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun to make the Summer football internship programme a yearly event.

Speaking at the press conference to mark the official closing ceremony of the two-week Summer football internship programme put together for the 22 players from Ogun State at Udinese FC in Italy, the Serie A Club Youth Sector Manager, Angelo Trevisan described the initiative of Mrs. Amosun to bring the 22 talented players to Italy as “a great start” of good partnership between Mrs. Amosun’s Uplift Development Foundation and Udinese FC.

UPLIFTING …First Lady of Ogun State,Mrs Olufunsho Amosun (Middle) with the Uplift Under-15 Grassroots Team.

”The boys displayed exemplary behaviour and are well disciplined. I hope they really enjoyed their stay in Udine, Italy. Our trainers have seen some very promising footballers among your boys. This ceremony represents the beginning of a wider collaboration. It is our desire to make it a yearly event. This is a great start and we should collaborate together to sustain the project,” he said.

Also, speaking at the event, the President of Fai Sport, Giorgio Zanmarchi commended the wife of the governor for agreeing to make use of Udinese FC facilities to train the 22 talented players from Ogun State.

”When I was told that Uplift Development Foundation was looking for a partner in Europe to train some talented footballers, I contacted Udinese FC at once.

The players got integrated into Udinese Youth Sector’s training schedule as if they had always been part of it. We can definitely say that we have won another challenge together. We have to sustain this project by giving opportunities to other players to come to Italy to get the exposure. We hope to see you soon,” he said.

Earlier in her remarks, the initiator of UPLIFTing Under-15 Grassroot Football programme, Mrs. Amosun expressed her gratitude to warm reception given to the Uplift Football Team, saying “I believe our players have indeed proved to you that they are talented.”