“Talent is universal, but opportunity is not.” — Nicholas D. Kristof
On a quiet morning in Karshi, Abuja, long before the sun stretched its golden fingers across the horizon, young boys and girls filed onto the field of Fosla Football Academy. They weren’t just here to play football. They had come in search of something greater—hope, a future, a chance to dream beyond the limitations their birth circumstances had handed them.
For many, the Fosla U-13 Scholarship Programme is not just a sporting event. It is a lifeline. In a country where access to quality education remains elusive for countless children, particularly those from impoverished backgrounds, this initiative stands out as an enduring flame in the dark. Behind it is the quiet force of a visionary: Alhaji Abdullahi Sani Lulu, former President of the Nigerian Football Federation and a man whose life has become a testimony to selfless nation-building.
Over two impactful days, April 12 and 13, 2025, the grounds of Fosla Academy transformed into a beacon of opportunity. Hundreds of hopefuls from six Local Council Areas in the FCT—Bwari, Kuje, Abaji, Gwagwalada, AMAC, Kwali; and three satellite teams from Kogi and Nasarawa States, gathered for a rigorous process that would test not only their skills but their grit and spirit.
Earlier to this, the Kogi teams had to qualify through a skill-testing process. In December, 2024, the 21 L.G.A.s in the State were combed in search of players with the highest prospects. The players from that process made the Kogi Satellite teams.
What distinguishes Fosla’s scholarship model isn’t just the football. Yes, matches are played in accordance with FIFA standards, and yes, dazzling goals and slick passes electrify the air. But the real game lies in what follows: academic evaluation. Every selected footballer, after dazzling on the pitch, must prove their mettle in subjects like English and Mathematics. Because here, intelligence and talent are both seen as twin flames lighting the path to a better future.
The screening process is meticulous. It begins with age verification, using primary school certificates and birth records to ensure only those truly under 13 make the cut. It’s a protective filter, one that prioritizes integrity and fairness, two things too often absent in grassroots sports. The emphasis on verification is not merely bureaucratic—it’s a declaration: this opportunity is real, and it must be earned.
On the field, every pass and tackle is observed by a team of internal and external coaches, student delegates, game masters, and seasoned sports officials. The vision is clear—find the future stars who would have otherwise gone unnoticed, buried under the weight of poverty and neglect. From over 100 players, just 25 boys and up to 10 girls are eventually chosen.
But selection is just the beginning. The chosen few are invited to write entrance exams in a classroom, wearing dusty cleats but carrying hearts filled with hope. Those who pass are not only given a scholarship—they are handed a new life. Agreement forms are signed with guardians and witnesses, sealing a pact of transformation between the academy and the family.
This year, as in the past, the atmosphere was electrifying. Pep talks ignited courage. The official kickoff, delivered by Alhaji Sani Lulu himself, reminded everyone that what was happening in Karshi was not child’s play—it was national service through the beautiful game of football. Winners were awarded trophies and cash prizes, but every child walked away taller, their self-worth restored.
The beauty of Fosla’s initiative lies in its fusion of structure and soul. The N2,000 registration fee is not a profit-making venture—it’s a commitment test, ensuring only those who understand the gravity of the opportunity step forward. In return, they receive mentorship, education, exposure, and perhaps most importantly, dignity.
At a time when Nigerian youth are bombarded with distractions and weighed down by systemic failures, the Fosla Academy stands as a rare success story. It embodies what is possible when vision meets action, when talent meets opportunity. From Karshi’s fields, the next national heroes may rise—not just footballers, but educated, disciplined, and driven young citizens.
In the end, the Fosla U-13 Scholarship is more than an event. It is a movement. One that says to every child from the margins, you matter, your dreams are valid, and this—this field of play—could be your launchpad to greatness.
Pokyes Kavwam
Abuja-Nigeria
