FIFA experts say sustainable growth of Nigerian football depends on stronger attention to amateur football and grassroots development.
A two-day workshop on Nigeria’s amateur football environment has ended in Abuja, with FIFA experts commending the Ibrahim Gusau-led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) administration for its efforts to strengthen grassroots football.
The workshop featured the presentation of the Amateur Football Environment Report of Nigeria by FIFA Regional Technical Consultant in the Global Football Development Division, Etienne Sockeng, and Amateur Football Analysis Manager, Amr Moheb.
The experts presented an assessment of Nigeria’s amateur football environment, comparing the country’s structure with case studies from other FIFA member associations.
They also expressed satisfaction with what they described as the building blocks being put in place by the NFF administration to develop the game from the grassroots.
A key message from the workshop was the importance of amateur football to the long-term development of the sport.
Sockeng and Moheb stressed that “the sustainable growth of the game in any society can only be achieved through critical attention to the amateur cadre.”
The workshop, held at Sandralia Hotel in Abuja, featured practical group exercises and discussions on the challenges and opportunities within Nigeria’s amateur football system.
NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau MON declared the workshop open on Wednesday alongside NFF 2nd Vice President and NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye, NFF Executive Committee member Nse Essien and NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi MON.
Gusau charged participants to pay close attention to the presentations and take away lessons that could help improve amateur football development in Nigeria.
NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen also presented the federation’s assessment of the state of amateur football in Nigeria, with support from Deputy Technical Director and TMS Manager Nasiru Jibril.
Participants included members of the NFF Executive Committee and Congress, NFF management and staff, Super Eagles Head Coach Eric Chelle, National Institute for Sports officials, football association chairmen, coaches, psychologists, club and academy owners and representatives of the Beach Soccer and Futsal League.
Essien, who took part in the sessions, declared the workshop closed on Thursday evening on behalf of the NFF president.
The workshop provides the federation with a detailed assessment of the country’s amateur football environment as it continues efforts to strengthen the grassroots structure and create a stronger pathway for football development in Nigeria.
