Pascal Atuma, the Canadian-based filmmaker, has expanded his entrepreneurial endeavors with the launch of Tabic Sports Agency, a football agency in Nigeria.
The agency, which the filmmaker described as “FIFA-licensed” was unveiled at a press conference in Lagos on Sunday.
At the launch, Atuma shared his vision for the agency, which aims to represent players globally.
The Abia-born movie producer emphasized that Tabic Sports Agency aims to support, manage, and represent talented footballers in Nigeria and Africa, “ensuring they are not left behind or exploited”.
The 52-year-old screenwriter said the agency will provide guidance and resources to help the players’ transition from obscurity to becoming professionals capable of competing globally.
Atuma also revealed that his journey to establishing “the FIFA-licensed agency spanned 41 years”.
“This sports agency is a 41-year journey. We started without all the things needed because we did not want to wait. In 2019, we were issued the FIFA intermediary license which we started and represented some Nigerian boys,” he said.
“Last year, FIFA cancelled all intermediary licenses in the world. At the time, there were over 300 intermediaries in Nigeria. Then they forced all intermediaries to take exams from Zurich at the capital of one’s country.
“Since then, it has been difficult because the passing rate is 19%. I don’t think FIFA licensed agencies in Nigeria are up to 20 right now. The way it is structured now, for you to do football business, you must be licensed directly by FIFA. We are glad to announce that I am officially a FIFA-licensed football global agent.
“… the license is not a Nigerian or African license, it is a global license. So, there is no reason we can’t represent players from Mexico, Australia, and Saudi Arabia but charity begins at home. That is why we are launching the agency in Lagos, Nigeria.
“An agency that will go out there and make sure no football talent in Nigeria and Africa is left behind. Most of the very talented young men and women in football do not have support so we are going to provide that support, management, representation, and make sure they are not exploited.
“In the business of sport, there is a lot of exploitation but if you work with the right team there will be no exploitation. So we will be the agency that will take a gifted child to be a talented professional that can compete globally. We are going to take them from nowhere to the promised land of football.”
Atuma has starred in ‘Sweet Revenge,’ ‘Eat My Shorts,’ ‘Bloodlines,’ ‘LAPD African Cops,’ ‘The Other Side of Love,’ ‘My American Nurse’ and ‘Secret Past’.
The filmmaker has also won an avalanche of awards and recognition. In 2018, he launched Tabic Records and signed two teenagers to the music label.
In October, Atuma partnered with the Katsina government to develop the state’s football academy.
By Muhibat Sulaimon @Thecable
