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Sadiq Umar Targets Kaduna Youth Development Through Ranchers Bees FC Project
Nigeria striker and Valencia forward Sadiq Umar has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform newly promoted Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Ranchers Bees FC into a talent development hub for young footballers from Kaduna State and across Nigeria.
Speaking during a media parley with members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kaduna State chapter, Umar said his investment in the historic club is aimed at identifying, nurturing and creating international opportunities for gifted young players.
According to the former Almeria and Real Sociedad forward, many talented youngsters remain undiscovered due to a lack of opportunities, a situation he is determined to change through structured football development programmes.
“Our mission is to develop children and move them abroad. We have a lot of boys like Zadok on the streets, and one of our priorities is to develop them and get them out of the streets,” Umar said.
He disclosed that about 85 per cent of the club’s development programme would focus on players from Kaduna State, revealing that discussions are already underway with the Kaduna State Government to establish strategic partnerships for grassroots football development.
“The philosophy is for 85 per cent Kaduna indigenes. I have met with the Kaduna State Government and we are going to partner to get these kids developed so that they can become global icons and also play for the Super Eagles,” he added.
Umar also revealed that Ranchers Bees has secured commercial partnerships, including a sponsorship agreement with AA Rano, as part of efforts to build a sustainable football project.
His remarks come just months after Ranchers Bees earned promotion to the NPFL, ending a prolonged absence from Nigeria’s top-flight league. The promotion marked a significant milestone in Umar’s vision after acquiring the Kaduna-based club in 2025.
Founded in the 1970s, Ranchers Bees is one of Nigeria’s most storied football clubs, having produced several national team players while enjoying success on both the domestic and continental stage. The club reached the final of the 1988 CAF Cup Winners’ Cup and lifted the WAFU Cup in 1989.
Explaining his decision to invest in Nigerian football, Umar said he was inspired by a public appeal from Africa’s richest businessman, Aliko Dangote, urging Nigerians to invest in the country’s future.
“I was watching Dangote’s interview where he called on Nigerians to come back and invest in the country. I thought about what I love most, which is football, and I decided to invest in it because it is the best thing I can give back to the community,” he said.
He noted that the Ranchers Bees project combines his passion for football with a desire to contribute to the social and economic development of Kaduna State.
Addressing challenges facing the NPFL, Umar identified poor referee welfare and the current system of match officiating as major impediments to the league’s growth. He argued that referees should be managed directly by league organisers rather than host clubs to ensure impartiality and improve the credibility of officiating.
“You cannot send a referee to the home club and expect the referee to officiate freely. The league body should take care of the referees. Once clubs are responsible for accommodation and feeding, there will always be questions about impartiality,” he said.
He maintained that improving officiating standards would significantly boost the competitiveness and integrity of the domestic league.
On the proposed policy requiring NPFL clubs to establish women’s teams, Umar described the initiative as a positive step but stressed that proper planning, investment and professionalism would be essential for its success.
The Valencia forward also reaffirmed his commitment to the Super Eagles, insisting that his relationship with the national team remains strong despite recent challenges.
“There will always be a beautiful bond between me and the Super Eagles. I am Nigerian and I grew up watching the team. The only thing between me and the Super Eagles is good work and wishing the team the very best,” he said.
Earlier, SWAN Kaduna State chairman, Comrade Shehu Abdullahi, congratulated Umar on Ranchers Bees’ promotion to the NPFL and commended his impressive performances for Valencia during the just-concluded Spanish La Liga season.
Abdullahi said Umar’s contributions helped Valencia climb the league standings and expressed confidence that his investment in Ranchers Bees would further promote football development in Kaduna State and Nigeria.
