Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
Nigerian U-20 player Jahmang Pam has signed a contract with a renowned Argentine international football scout and agent, Marcelo Houseman, following a weeklong scouting programme.
Pam signed the contract over the weekend at ABT Football Academy in Kwoi, Southern Kaduna, at the end of the programme, organised by Alhamdu Bala, chairman and proprietor of ABT Football Academy, which attracted no fewer than 800 young footballers from 15 academies.
The players participated in intensive training, technical assessments, tactical sessions, and competitive matches designed to identify promising talents for international opportunities.
Sixteen players across the U-17 and U-20 categories were selected for further development and consideration for opportunities abroad at the end of the rigorous scouting exercise.
Pam, who featured prominently during the programme, impressed the scout with his technical ability, tactical intelligence, vision, versatility, and understanding of the game.
Speaking after the signing, Houseman described Pam as an exciting young talent with qualities capable of attracting interest from clubs outside Nigeria.
“Pam has exceptional qualities, but talent alone is not enough; he must remain disciplined, focused, and committed to continuous improvement,” Houseman said.
He promised to work towards securing a lucrative international opportunity for Pam within the next few weeks as part of efforts to further develop his football career.
“I see a player with great potential, and my responsibility is to help create the right pathway for him to grow and compete at a higher level,” he added.
Houseman also commended ABT Football Academy for creating an environment where young players could showcase their abilities before international scouts.
An elated Adama Jang, Pam’s mother and personal manager, expressed gratitude to Houseman and the academy for recognising her son’s talent.
Jang said the contract represented “a major step forward” in Pam’s career and expressed confidence that the partnership would open new doors for the young footballer.
“I am grateful to God and everyone who has supported Pam. We are excited about this opportunity and hopeful about what lies ahead,” she said.
She, however, promised that Pam would remain disciplined and focused while taking every professional advice necessary to succeed.
Pam, who described the development as a dream come true, said he was delighted to have earned the confidence of the Argentine football scout.
“I feel happy and motivated by this opportunity. I know there is still a lot of work to do, and I am ready to learn, improve, and give my best,” Pam said.
He thanked his mother, coaches, teammates, ABT Football Academy, and everyone who had contributed to his development, promising to remain committed to his football career.
Pam is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays primarily as an attacking midfielder and winger, with the versatility to operate in central midfield.
His big break came when he gained recognition after earning a call-up to Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, in 2024.
He was invited to the Flying Eagles training camp under former coach Aliyu Zubairu ahead of the WAFU B U-20 qualifiers.
Pam began his football journey in Jos, Plateau, at the age of nine. He continued to develop his technical and tactical abilities and had a stint with Mighty Jets, featuring in a number of matches.
His playing style is characterised by tactical intelligence, vision, ball control, and versatility, qualities that have continued to attract attention from football development stakeholders.
Bala, the academy proprietor, described the scouting programme as a significant opportunity for young Nigerian footballers seeking international exposure.
He said the academy was committed to providing talented players with professional development opportunities while creating pathways for them to pursue careers beyond Nigeria.
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