Barcelona star Asisat Oshoala opens up on importance of her foundation, academy

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

FC Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala has stated that she holds her foundation dear to her heart.

While regretting dropping out of school in order to play the round leather game, Oshoala hopes to use her foundation and academy to sensitise young girls on the importance of education in football.

Her foundation partnered with a Pharmaceutical company, Emzor to promote girl-child education and sports across the country as former Arsenal and Liverpool star is the company’s Brand Ambassador.

“One thing I always try to make people understand about me is like when I take my professional career first then the next thing on the table for me is this foundation,” she told DAZN.

“It’s so dear to my heart because while I was growing up, I made certain mistakes like dropping out of school just because I wanted to play football and this is something I don’t want the younger generation to keep doing.

“It’s a huge mistake and didn’t have someone to actually tell and advise me that I am in a position to send and pass out this message to this younger generation.”

In 2022, the Barcelona star announced the launch of the ‘Asisat Oshoala Academy’ (AOA), in ground-breaking partnership with Nike and Women Win.

“I decided to set up a foundation. We are going to be playing football tournament every year. I think I did it for like five years and afterward, I decided that I was going to have an academy and not just an academy,” she opened up.

“I want a standard and professional one. I have been there in Europe and know how it’s been properly done. If we can do things like this for our players back home in Nigeria, especially the young generations, I think we are going to have really good players. The growth is really going on.

“People are really coming to invest in women’s soccer. It’s now on TV. You can see it and go to YouTube channels and watch live games. These are the things that actually sell the market of sports generally because what people don’t have access to, there is no way they are going to pick interest in it.

“When they have access to it when they turn on the TV and radio. They are able to watch it even in their leisure time. I am really loving it. I am really loving the attention coming from CAF, and club sides in Africa. It’s really amazing.”