Nigeria’s team to the 7th edition of the annual Homeless World Cup, Milano 2009, which kicks off in Milan, Italy between the 4th and 14th of September 2009 was  unveiled today at the Astro turf 2000, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The team will be led to the world street soccer event by head coach, Joseph Olamiju, who himself represented Nigeria at previous Homeless World Cup editions in Cape Town, South Africa and Copenhagen, Denmark in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

The ten-man squad of young, talented, skillful and disciplined Nigerian youths were selected by Search and Groom during the implementation of the third edition of the Street Soccer League Cup in 2008 across the six operating centres of the Organisation in Lagos (Ajegunle, Agege, Abesan/Ipaja, Ikeja, Ikorodu) and Ibadan, Oyo state.

The players selected to represent Nigeria includes, Christopher Chukwu, Dauda Ashade, John Auta, Ebenezer Aderemi, Korede Ogungbesan, Yomi Oludeyi, Oluwaloni Ogunleye, Seun Shoyemi and Sule Salau.

The players concluded the last lap of their four week intensive training programme on Monday,  sponsored by Astro Soccer Nigeria Limited and conducted within the premises of the multi-million Naira Astro turf 2000 complex in preparation for the tournament.

At a reception organised by Astro Soccer Nigeria Limited, Sport Vision and Skills and Schemes International; official team supporters of Nigeria’s Homeless World Cup team, Chief Executive Officer of ASNL, Deroju Ademoroti urged the players to continue with the long tradition and philosophy of self dignity and humility promoted by Search And Groom.

In his words “dedication, hard work, resilience and love for Nigeria by the players is the key towards the realisation of the ultimate goal, winning the trophy”

Managing Director of Sport Vision, Mr Deji Tinubu revealed that Sport Vision is proud to be associated with Search And Groom due to it’s strong commitment to young vulnerable Nigerians, promising further to increase its support for the project in the future.

Yomi Kuku, Executive Director Search And Groom, expressed gratitude to the Italian immigration authorities,Astro Soccer Nigeria Limited, Sport Vision and Skills and Schemes on behalf of the players, Board of Trustees and volunteers of the organisation for the tremendous support given to Search And Groom.