August Update

Henry arrived back in Jos last month and has already been working hard to get his vision of a soccer academy off the ground.  So far he has visited a number of schools in the area, organised some matches and has begun recruiting for a football academy in the area, which has a strong emphasis on reconciliation between Christians and Muslims through sport. The football academy has two age groups, seniors and juniors, with the seniors training 5 days a week from 7 am to 9 am, and the juniors training in the evening from 4 pm to 6 pm. The goal is to disciple them with Biblical values and to build trust between the group, with each training session including a 30 minute talk from Henry or one of his team.

Prayer points
- to see God use these youth to bring about positive change in the community
- the provision of further kits for matches and training for the junior teams.  Onside Soccer was able to provide kits for the senior teams but further kit is required for the younger players
- the provision of two more assistants with a passion for coaching to help Henry with the junior team

Henry (far right) with some of the young players at the academy

 

Introducing Henry...

Our man in Nigeria, Henry Dakat, was born in Jos and started playing football at an early age.  Like many children in Africa his first experience of the 'beautiful game' was of kicking a ball around that was made of plastic bags tied up with string.  Henry's potential, however, shone through and he was invited to start attending the Pepsi Football Academy where he played for a number of years, lining up alongside players of the calibre of John Obi Mikel, who is currently a regular in the Chelsea team.  In his late teens Henry signed for professional team Plateau United before moving on to play for Agaza in Togo.  Henry then returned to Nigeria after one season and joined Youth With A Mission, where he attended the Discipleship Training School with a focus on sports.  Moving to YWAM in Switzerland in 2010, Henry played for one season with FC Cran, based outside Geneva before moving to the UK to complete his studies with YWAM in Harpenden.

Please remember Henry in your prayers as he starts building his ministry in Nigeria.  He is a man with a huge vision for his homeland and seeing God glorified through football.  He has now returned to Nigeria at the start of August and we will be updating this page on a regular basis....

Welcome to the Onside Soccer Nigeria blog!  We are very pleased to announce that we will shortly be partnering with a project in Nigeria, where we have teamed up with former professional footballer Henry Dakat to support him in his vision of bringing Christians and Muslims together on the football field.  Henry has a passion for Nigeria and has seen first hand how football can unite people where it seems that nothing else can.  Henry is currently studying with YWAM in the UK but will be returning to Nigeria in late 2012, so watch this space for further details of how the project will develop and how you can get involved....

Paul and Henry Dakat