7th October, 2010
Oluwaseyi Abidemi is the former Coach of Larry F.C. Club of Agege. He is now with Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area Football Team. He spoke with SUNDAY AKINTOYE about the effect of FIFA ban on Nigerian grassroots football.
Why did you leave Larry F.C?
I have spent close to ten years with Larry Football Club. I thank God that I have a lot of things to show for the years I spent with the club. Now I need a new challenge.
We learnt that you fought the owner of the club, Olanrewaju Sanyaolu before you left, your reaction to this?
(Laughs) Who gave you this wrong information.Sanyaolu is my boss and I will ever be grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to serve the club for ten years. To put the record straight, I left the club because I need to move on. Now, I am with Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA).The council is playing in the ongoing Lagos Junior League.
How is the performance of Mosan Okunola LCDA in the Junior League?
The council’s team are doing well in the competition. We defeated Agbado Oke-Odo 1-0 in our opening game and lost 1-2 to Ori-Ade LCDA in our second game. Our next match against Iba LCDA will hold this Saturday at the FIFA Legacy Astro turf football pitch at the National Stadium, Surulere.
What are your expectations in the next match?
My expectation is to win our next game because we are aiming to top our group at the end of the day so that we can play in Division One next season.
FIFA has banned Nigeria from taking part in international competitions indefinitely, don’t you this will have adverse effect on grassroots football?
There is no doubt football at the grassroots will suffer because we are not going to take part in any aged grade competition organised by either FIFA or CAF. Activities at the grassroots will defintely be at its lowest ebb. Coaches will be discouraged from discovering talents. I must confess everything will standstill. I am not really happy about the situation.
Is it not the time for football administrators to look inward and develop our local football?
The effort of grassroots coaches will be in vain if we fail to play in international competitions. It will be hard to assess our young players when they don’t play against another country. It is going to affect our young players who are hungry for success.
Would you quit your coaching job now since FIFA has banned us?
I cannot quit because this is my chosen career. I pray that officials of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF should ensure that they put their house in order before it is too late.
