By Peter Onyekachukwu 
From Peter Onyekachukwu
As part of efforts to discover and develop young football talents across Nigeria, ACT Sports Di Oyibo + Torino FC Academy has officially expanded its operations to Ondo State with the inauguration of a new branch in Ondo City.
The academy, which partners with Torino FC Academy of Italy, aims to provide grassroots opportunities for aspiring footballers in the state and beyond.
Founder and Director of ACT Sports Di Oyibo Academy, Pastor Samuel, disclosed this during the official opening ceremony on Friday, October 10, 2025. He said the expansion was inspired by the dedication of Coach Michael, an Ondo-born trainer who has played a vital role in the academy’s growth and player development.
According to Pastor Samuel, “Coach Michael has been with us for some time now, training players under ACT Sports and Torino FC. His dedication and passion for developing young talents motivated us to establish a branch in his home state.”
He explained that the Ondo branch will serve as a platform for identifying and nurturing football talents across the South-West region.
Samuel said, “This expansion is part of our broader vision to reach areas where young people have limited access to professional football training. Nigeria has so much untapped talent, and we want to give these youths the right platform to shine,” Samuel added.
The director revealed that similar requests had been received from other states, including Zamfara, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, adding that ACT Sports was open to more collaborations and partnerships to grow its reach. “We are praying and trusting God to lead us as we continue to expand. Once we find reliable partners, we’ll move to other regions,” he said.
Samuel further noted that the Ondo branch has already begun scouting local players, with several promising talents identified during the opening program. “There are already good teams in Ondo City.
“Our chief scout, Peter Nieketien, an ex-international with a UEFA license, has spotted some impressive players, and we will be working closely with them to integrate the best into our academy,” he stated.
The academy’s curator in charge of materials, Mr. Oduwefo Ikechukwu, also expressed excitement over the warm reception received from the people of Ondo City.
Mr Oduwego said, “The town is busy but calm, and the people are happy to welcome ACT Sports. There’s huge excitement as youths prepare to showcase their talents. The program is peaceful, and everything is going smoothly,” he said.
He explained that the two-day scouting event, which kicked off at 2 p.m., aims to identify exceptional young footballers who will be trained and developed under the academy’s program..“We are here to support and promote youth development in Ondo State.
“ACT Sports is committed to helping young people stay focused and do something meaningful that will benefit them and their families,” Ikechukwu added.
Secretary and translator of ACT Sports Di Oyibo + Torino FC Academy, Maria G. Di Blasi, expressed joy over the turnout of young participants.
According to Maria, “I am happy to see the youths and children being taken off the streets and brought into our camp for better training and a brighter future. We are committed to giving them the right exposure and opportunities in Asia and Europe,” she said.
Maria also encouraged other coaches who have attended ACT Sports and Torino FC training programs to emulate Coach Michael by returning to their home states to train and inspire more young talents.