Sodje Sold Idea Of Youth League To Delta State Sports Commission But Not Implemented

Published: July 24, 2020

Retired Nigeria national-teamer Sam Sodje sold the idea of an Under 16 Elite League to Delta State Sports Commission but it has not been implemented to date, allnigeriasoccer.com understands.

Now, the English Football Association are looking to have the same program, Elite London Youth League (ELYL), as from the 2020-2021 season.

The Delta State Sports Commission was invited to partner with some top football clubs in England on the Youth Elite League but it wasn't taken up by the state even though an inauguration of the league was held in 2017.

If it had gone ahead as planned, the U16 Elite League would have been good for youth sports development in the state, and would have taken kids off the streets and reduce the crime rate.

In addition, the program would have helped to discover the next football star in the state.

A lot of youth football clubs in Delta State keyed into Sam Sodje's idea and even paid registration fees but the Under 16 Elite League didn't see the light of day.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel