Grapevine

Adewole: Little Ronaldo who inspires coach

The story of 13-year-old Kareem Adewole of White Soccer Temple Academy in Alimosho, Lagos, and his coach, Gbenga Oluwole, is a perfect example of the above scenario.

Four years ago, when the entire country was on lockdown due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Adewole, who was just nine years old then, was taking personal football training under Oluwole.

Perhaps because schools were also shut, Adewole did nothing but play football during the lockdown, and what started as personal training inspired coach Oluwole to start White Soccer Temple Academy when the situation was relaxed.

“He was my first ever player in White Soccer Temple Academy. His brother brought him to me, where I was training my mate for fun, and from there, I trained only him for six months in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Oluwole, who is also a player, told PUNCH Sports Extra.

“He grabbed every skill I taught him immediately, and from there, I discovered that he has talent because he’s fully focused and determined. Through him, hundreds of youngsters have enrolled with us, marking the beginning of our academy after the lockdown.