Vyootopia Festival Sports partners Mikel Obi on youths’ devt
By Trek Africa Newspaper
John Mikel Obi, former Super Eagles captain, has entered into a partnership with Vyootopia Festival Sports to develop the untapped potential of African Youths.
Dr May Ikeora, project manager, Vyootopia Festival Sports, said this in a statement on Monday in Lagos.
He said the partnership would extend Obi’s legacy to youths through social impact activities that would enable youths showcase and develop their talents.
It said the partnership would leverage sports and entertainment to accelerate sustainable developmental initiatives for youths and their communities in Africa.
As part of the partnership, a Wave Beach festival themed: SEERIE (S- Safeguard, E – Educate, E – Empower, R- Rebuild Communities, I- Inspire, E- Entertain) is scheduled for Dec. 8 in Lagos.
“Vyootopia Festival starts with a digital sports conference, ball juggling challenge, fitness, beach football, and culminates in an Afroterra musical concert, all at one venue.
“The expectation is that millions of youths will be empowered in Africa and beyond,” said the statement.
It added that through the festival, Mikel would be remembered for the work he had been doing through his Not-for-Profit (Mikel Obi Foundation) and his famous Back2Base project.
“The Vyootopia Festival, which coincides with the 2022 FIFA World Cup aims to fuse the passionate energy of football and the creative brilliance of African music and culture into a memorable, recreational live experience for fans and followers of sports and music,” she said.
According to the statement through their partnership with Mission89, a research, education and advocacy organisation, was intended to protect the commercial movement of footballers under the age of 18.
It added that the partnership was inspired by the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, FIFA’s Article 19 and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) principles prohibiting the exploitation of young athletes, ensuring that they are protected from unscrupulous recruiters and agents.
“Vyootopia goes above and beyond to safeguard youths from human trafficking and irregular migration in and through sports,” said the statement.
NAN
