By Admin 
***Plans for European Exposure
By Peter Onyekachukeu, Warri
DELTA: A new football club, Tellectual Sloboda FC, has been launched in Warri, Delta State, with modern training facilities and a plan to groom players to meet European football standards.
The club, co-owned by Domero Akpovona Ibor and Mr. Sloboda, will resume activities on Monday, January 13, 2025, with a focus on scouting talents from Warri. Notable European scouts are expected to visit the club to select promising players for international opportunities.
Speaking with journalists in Warri, Ibor, who doubles as the club’s chairman, said Tellectual Sloboda FC is currently working on player transfers despite some delays. He assured fans that the process would be concluded soon.
According to Ibor, the club has participated in four tournaments, including the Delta State Ethnic Group Cup, hosted by Chief Sheriff Mulade, where the team won significant prizes.
Ibor further revealed that Mr. Sloboda, a Serbian national and the club’s sporting director, is instrumental in bringing European coaches to train the players for three weeks.
“We are bringing in professional coaches from Europe to train the boys. It’s not like before when we had experienced local coaches like Alhaji, who trained us hard and gave us a strong foundation.
“These days, most young players lack that basic training. So, we are improving their skills to meet European standards, ensuring they can adapt when they get there,” Ibor said.
He added that both the head coach and assistant coach of the club are certified professionals with vast experience, emphasizing that Tellectual Sloboda FC is not just another street football academy.
“Our focus is on preparing players for Europe. We want them to have the right training and exposure so they don’t struggle when they get international opportunities,” Ibor added.
As part of their plans, Ibor disclosed that European scouts from prominent clubs will visit Warri to assess players’ performances and facilitate possible moves abroad.
The club aims to create a pathway for young talents in Delta State to reach their full potential on the international stage.
The launch of Tellectual Sloboda FC is expected to boost the football ecosystem in Delta State and attract more attention to grassroots football development.