At Elite, child abuse protection is paramount to us -Sulaimon

Some of the students

The Elite International Soccer School is one of the soccer schools in Nigeria. It was founded by Samson Sulaimon, an ex-football player, unsurprisingly, in 2015 and is steadily becoming a force to reckon with.

According to SS, he set it up due to his experience with football in the UK which made him realize that there were quite a lot of things he missed while growing up as a child with a professional passion for football.

Speaking about those things, he said, “Firstly, the techniques used by majority of Nigerian coaches were inappropriate. Secondly, the way a child should be developed was wrong. Thirdly, safeguarding children in Nigeria system is poor. Fourthly, football is more than just a game, it’s a tool for a child’s life skills. And so on … so I came to set up EISS to help out young people in Lagos to identify their potential through football.

“EISS started operation in 2015 and currently runs the football programme every Saturday 2pm to 4pm at Ijora Olopa playing field in Lagos State. We endeavor to bring together all races, ages, abilities and genders to enjoy the globe’s favorite pastime and games in a way different from the contemporary organizations serving in this field.

“We ensure that Elite's coaches, coordinators, program manager, as well as participants and others are fully familiar with the Elite’s Child Protection Policy. Every coach is inducted on safeguarding children and is given a copy of the policy which is WHY we are exceptional from contemporary organizations serving in this field.

“The welfare, protection and safety of children and young people are of paramount importance in Elite. We recognize that all children and young people, whatever their race, religion, location or placement, have the right to be safeguarded from abuse and exploitation.

“It is every adult's responsibility to protect children from abuse, and our ECPP contains advice on how to deal with a child or young person making a disclosure or allegation of abuse. Any suspicion or allegation of abuse is reported to the program manager/coordinator, and a written record is made in the Child Protection Form.

“Our ethos is what separate us from most other football development centres. All members are treated on the basis that they attend training, be on time and have a positive attitude. With these values used correctly, poor players become good players and good players become great. These values have also helped develop managers and coaches as you are forced to work with what you have as opposed to just working with the best.”

He added that “EISS also offers holiday programme during school vacation which runs Mon to Fri 9am till 2pm. This helps to keep children active, off the streets and engages them in fun and exciting programmes. We are organising another holiday programme on Monday 18 Dec to Fri 22 Dec 2017. Then Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 Dec. All this make us exceptional as we do humanitarian work in the community.”

Keep it up, Elite.