The Chairman of Kwara State Football Association, Alhaji Idris Abdullahi Musa has said that the development of football at the grassroots can only be complete if young coaches, referees and administrators are also identified and groomed alongside potential young players.
Answering questions on the popular WhatsApp platform, Nigeria Sports Center yesternight, the first democratically elected Chairman of Kwara FA also added that facilities are crucial, and central, towards the realization of grassroots football development.
Alhaji Idris, popularly known as Thuraya said the he campaigned on the resuscitation of football at the grassroots, and has since assumption of office, pursuing that objective with all sincerity of purpose, a move which he says, has already started yielding results.
‘The campaign on identifying talents at the grassroots can easily be done through the Football Councils, Traditional Rulers and stakeholders, and that was why on assumption of office, my board toured all the 16 Local Government Areas of the state, to not only seek support, but to see the facilities available for footballing activities’, he said.
‘We followed up by donating balls, nets, corner flags and jerseys to all the Local Governments, and as well, instituted an U-15 competition where 16 potential players were identified, and picked.
‘The players were given scholarship by the Chairman of Kwara United FC, and these are the players that won the Ramat Cup International competition in Kano.
Thuraya also said that the board is working on the modalities of introducing Primary and Secondary School football competitions, even as he hinted on collaboration with relevant stakeholders and government, towards having befitting facilities, which he identified as bedrock of development, in the 16 Local Government Areas.
He said that his board is working closely with the Kwara state chapter of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA), the Kwara Referees Council and the All-Stars family in the state towards identifying young coaches, referees and administrators, to complete the grassroots football development arms.
‘We also have a proposal for the government on the need to support grassroots teams through funding.
Ahead of the commencement of the 2020/2021 NPFL season, he advised Kwara United FC to be more professional, thought the engagement of quality players and good welfare package, so as to achieve the desired continental ticket.
