Ex- NFF boss Akinwumi wants more focus on grassroots football
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Akinwumi, who recently made the comment during this year's edition of the Dare to Dream football tournament tournament at Cappa ground, urged the country’s football authorities to prioritise macro-level development.
By Richard Elesho
A former vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Seyi Akinwunmi, has recommended commiting more resources to grassroots football development and praised Digitvant Microfinance Bank for sponsoring the Dare to Dream football tournament.
Akinwumi, who recently made the comment during this year’s edition of the tournament at Cappa ground, urged the country’s football authorities to prioritise macro-level development.
“Grassroots football is something we should be proud about. It is one of the platforms to discover emerging talents.
“I will be honest with you, we have not put enough resources into grassroots football, as the private sector is not as enthusiastic as it should be.
“During my time in the NFF, I had a document I titled Football First. For me, the NFF should focus on macro football development, the national teams, and the economy behind football.” He said.
Digitvant Microfinance Bank managing director Florence Ogunyamoju gave an insight into why her firm is footing the bills for the tournament.
“As premium sponsors of the Dare to Dream Football Tournament, it is a two-part for us: social and sustainability,” she said.
“Over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population are youths. The tournament will create a career pathway for the emerging talents picked by the scouts. Once they become successful, they will contribute to the Gross Domestic Product.”
Pablo Sanchez, director of the international department at Spanish club Cadiz CF, expressed his admiration for Nigeria’s emerging talents.
He said the event had been rewarding, adding that the scouts had identified several players who would proceed to trials at Cadiz CF.
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