Professional Coach, Ayodele advocates for grassroots football development in South West Nigeria
Posted by Editor | 4 years ago | 1,038 times
Founder, Demmypoet Foundation, a Football Management Company, Ayodele Ademola Ewi-Ife has said that grassroots football remain a key factor in discovering a great players for national teams.
Ayodele who is a renowned Scout/Coach in Oyo State opined in an Interview with Western Nigeria Publica (WNP), there is need for South West Governors to think towards embracing grassroots football development.
“Grassroots Football development still remains the best way forward. But government isn’t looking at the potentials of the players.”
He highlighted challenges facing grassroots football development, according to him, “no more developmental programs for players to develop, like how many school have it in extra curriculums activities in sport activities?
“ No training facilities again. Government is approving schools without a playing field for sports. He noted that in the process, so many people lost interest in coaching, how many of the school have a football field? the ones that are still training don't even have good evaluation because nothing like all those glorious competitions again. Like Governor's Cup, Lanihun's Cup U13 and so many,” he added.
He, however, stressed that football is the one of the major things that project the good name of this country(Nigeria) in the world, adding that Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest number of professional players across the globe.
He described grassroots as the future success of Nigeria football. Ayodele said that grassroots football should be encouraged to enable more youths to show interest in the sport in the country, especially in South West.
Ayodele said that grassroots football should be encouraged to enable more youths to show interest in the sport in the country.
“Grassroots football, if properly handled, could give birth to numerous talented footballers in the future,” he started.
In an effort to promote grassroots football development, Ayodele said his Foundation is organizing Football Tournament(Players Cup) that will bring together young talented players in the South West region.
In his remark, the Professional Coach, encouraged youths to take good advantage of the tournament, advising governments at all levels to put facilities in place to encourage more youths to participate in sporting activities in the country.
