Jos, the Plateau State capital, has welcomed a new football academy that promises to shape the next generation of Nigerian football stars. The New Hope Stars Football Academy, founded by Mr. Yohanna Gorgi, officially opened its doors with a clear mission to discover, nurture, and develop young talents who can compete on the world stage.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, Mr. Gorgi said the inspiration behind the academy came from his deep passion for football and his desire to help gifted youths fulfill their potential.
“What inspired me is passion,” he explained. “I love football, and as I moved around, I saw a lot of raw talents wasting away. I asked myself, what can I do to help? That was when the vision came, and since then I’ve been putting in every effort to see it succeed. To the glory of God, we’ve achieved the first part of the vision.”
Mr. Gorgi added that his long-term goal is to see players from the academy rise to global prominence. “My dream is to see world bests and African bests come from here. One day I want to sit and watch my boys win the World Cup, play for the Super Eagles, and even win the Ballon d’Or. That is my target.”
FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIPS
For now, the project is privately funded by Mr. Gorgi himself. However, he says the doors are open for sponsorships and partnerships. “I’m the one currently running it, but football is not something you can do alone. We are open to anyone who wants to partner with us and share in this vision,” he said.
He also revealed that the academy is already attracting international attention. “By the special grace of God, in the next few weeks we will host JCS from the USA. They are producing our jerseys and kits, and they’re coming to Jos to see what we’re doing. We also have several clubs showing interest in our boys.”
AGE CATEGORIES AND FUTURE PLANS
New Hope Stars Football Academy will train players from the grassroots, beginning from age 10. The categories include under-10, under-13, under-15, under-17, and under-20 teams.
Although the current unveiling focused on male players, Mr. Gorgi emphasized that the academy is fully open to female footballers as well. “If you look at our registration form, you’ll see there’s a gender section. That means both boys and girls are welcome. Many girls have already collected their forms, and once we finish this first stage, training for the female side will begin.”
A VISION ROOTED IN FAITH AND HOPE
Mr. Gorgi believes faith and community support will keep the academy growing. “I believe God Almighty will touch the hearts of people who love this vision. We’re open to any brand or partner who wants to be part of it,” he said.
The unveiling ceremony drew local football lovers, sports officials, and young players eager to join the new academy, which promises to nurture the next generation of football stars from Plateau State and beyond.
