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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

Ex-Jersey FA Chief Backs Nigeria Grassroots Football Development

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Former Jersey FA president Ricky Weir is deepening his involvement in Nigerian grassroots football development.
  • Weir, who holds a Nigerian passport, aims to promote his memoir and support Walking Football and youth leagues.
  • He has established charitable initiatives using football for social development across Africa and received an African Football Ambassador award.

Ricky Weir, former president of the Jersey Football Association and now a Nigerian passport holder, is intensifying his commitment to grassroots football development in Nigeria. His recent visit combined promoting his award-winning memoir, "Illegitimately Blessed," with continued support for Walking Football and youth league programs.

Weir stated that holding a Nigerian passport allows him greater freedom to visit the country, spend time with family, and potentially shift more of his football development work to Nigeria. "The biggest thing is that I can come back whenever I want. I don’t have to think about visas or costs anymore. It allows me to embrace the country more, spend time with family, and potentially shift more of my football development work to Nigeria," Weir said.

As the Founder of the Jersey 2 Africa 4 Football Foundation, Weir actively engaged with grassroots initiatives. He attended the 5Stars Premier League opening in Abuja, distributing new Premier League balls to sixteen participating teams. He also officiated at the Walking Football opening league program in Lagos.

The biggest thing is that I can come back whenever I want. I don’t have to think about visas or costs anymore. It allows me to embrace the country more, spend time with family, and potentially shift more of my football development work to Nigeria.

— Ricky WeirWeir explained the advantages of holding a Nigerian passport for his continued involvement in the country.

Weir expressed satisfaction with the progress of Walking Football, a discipline he helped introduce to Nigeria in 2020. "It was gratifying to see how far it has come. There are now league programmes and women’s teams, which is fantastic," he remarked about the slow-paced, non-contact sport.

During his visit, Weir was honored in Lagos with the Award of Excellence and Special Recognition as African Football Ambassador by My Media Africa. His memoir chronicles his journey of reconnecting with his Nigerian heritage, a path that led him to uncover his father's roots and establish connections with relatives.

It was gratifying to see how far it has come. There are now league programmes and women’s teams, which is fantastic.

— Ricky WeirWeir commented on the progress of Walking Football in Nigeria since its introduction.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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