From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Augustine Eguavoen says the ongoing Prosperity Cup coaching clinic will serve as a springboard for grassroots coaches in Bayelsa State to become great technocrats of the game in the future.
Eguavoen stated this, while addressing the participants on day two of the ongoing Prosperity Cup coaching clinic at the NUJ Press Centre, Azikoro Road, Ekeki, in Yenagoa, the state capital.
He noted that getting the rudiments of coaching at the grassroots level was vital in preparing the coaches for adventurous assignments, stressing that getting it right at the grassroots level would bring about a massive turn around to the development of football in the country.
Describing the grassroots as the bedrock of any nation’s football development, Bayelsa and indeed Nigeria stands to gain a lot by evolving an acceptable football playing culture with the collaboration and participation of all stakeholders, including governments at all levels, as well as the relevant experts to handle various aspects of the development process.
He expressed satisfaction with the cordial working relationship between the Nigeria Football Federation and the Bayelsa State Football Association, pointing out that, the collaboration will bring about the development of coaches and the discovery of players with the right mentality to excel in the highest level of the game.
While appreciating NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau and the secretary general, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi for their support, the NFF Technical Director said he was happy to be part of the ongoing exercise, stating that, the Federation remains committed to the development of football at the grassroots level.
“Bayelsa has taken the lead in this direction by building the capacity of the coaches at the grassroot level and I am happy to be part of this well intended and conceived initiative. I can assure you that, it won’t be long before we would begin to see a massive turn around in the game in Bayelsa State”
“If you have good intentions to really move football and our players to greater heights, you will have to first and foremost impart the relevant skills to those who teach the game at the very foundational level and this is what, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri is doing through the Prosperity cup. This effort will soon pay off and Bayelsa will be better off for it”
With the exercise coming to its climax this Friday, the ex- Nigerian international believes that the coaches would replicate what they have been taught in the programme, when the local government preliminaries of the Prosperity cup tournament begin at the various centers across the state.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali has commended the lead facilitator of the ongoing NFF/BSFA coaching clinic, Mr. Augustine Eguavoen and his team for the positive impact they are making in the careers of coaches in the State.
Dr. Igali, who was on ground to witness the practical session of the exercise at the Old Assembly quarters, Azikoro Road, Ekeki, Yenagoa, was full of gratitude for the the various transformational programmes of the Prosperity Cup, particularly the coaching clinic and the referees refresher courses, noting that the two initiatives have given the tournament more credibility and relevance.
The commissioner urged the coaches to make the best use of the opportunity, the exercise has afforded them, stressing that the Governor is desirous of seeing Bayelsans manage foreign clubs and the national teams.
The 3rd prosperity cup coaching clinic is in its third day, with more sessions from the various resource persons.
