Background and Objectives
Wealth distribution in Nigeria is very unbalanced. The majority of people are very poor without coverage of basic needs like education, health care and shelter. A small percentage of the population is extremely wealthy ,enjoying the good life and spending quite some time on the tennis courts and golf courses across the country. There they encounter ball boys and caddies who earn a few cents a day by picking balls and carrying golf bags. With the money they make, often not more than 50 Eurocents per day, they can support their family. All of the ball boys and caddies have a very poor financial background.
In the hours that the club members are not present the ball boys play tennis and the caddies practice their golf skills. A few of them prove to be blessed with an incredible natural talent for these sports. If these boys are supported and guided in the right way they could build up a professional career. That way their natural talent could mean a way out of their poverty.
The starting point of the project ‘Natural Talents’ of the CO Foundation is to support and guide talented youngsters with a very poor background. With the assistance of the CO Foundation they have an opportunity to build up their own future based on their natural talent for tennis and golf. The ultimate objective of the project is for these kids to reach a professional level thus enabling them to earn enough money not only to support themselves and their families but at the same time to donate money back to the CO Foundation making the project financially independent of donations. All players benefiting from the support to excel in their sports are also encouraged to pursue an academic career. In case of failing to make it professionally in their sport they will at least have a sound education to fall back upon.