Maigari Echoes Commitment On Youth Development

President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari has affirmed the commitment to youth development, declaring that he would be happier if there are new discoveries from the present National U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets.

The NFF boss returned to the country at the weekend after attending the Annual Congress of the world soccer governing body, FIFA in Budapest, Hungary where delegates ‘adopted statutory reforms centered on ethics, as well as the creation of its first executive committee post for women’s football, to combat claims of corruption and double-dealing.’

But on the home front, Maigari said he is worried about the recent dearth of talented players in Nigerian football consequently, the NFF would redouble its efforts in discovering and developing fresh talents.

“You should know that I’m up to date with what is happening in your camp and I’m really happy that the coaching crew is in accord with our vision on youth development,” Golden Eaglets’ media officer, Morakinyo Abodunrin quoted Maigari as saying in a telephone conversation.

“The NFF’s development plan is well on course with some youngsters who were blooded at the National U-15 team are already prospective candidates in the new Golden Eaglets with the duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Saliu Ali-Baba dazzling the coaches,” Abodunrin said.

The President further explained that Nigerian football is in dire need of fresh talents in order to revitalise all the national teams: “The truth is that we need new generation of players to help the steady and painless transition from one level of national team to the other.

“We need new Nwankwo Kanus, Joseph Yobos, John Obi Mikels and that is one of the things we want from the coaching crew of the present Golden Eaglets and I’m quite happy about some of the things I have read from your camp,” Maigari reportedly said.

Maigari is expected to lead a delegation of the NFF to Calabar this week to watch the Super Eagles’ 2014 World Cup qualifying match against Namibia.

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets resumed training yesterday at the practice pitch of the Esuene stadium as the team’s one-month long closed camping reaches a home stretch. The team are scheduled to play two practice matches against before rounding off the exercise.