A former Super Eagles player and 1997 African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, has called for more grassroots football competitions to produce more talents for Nigeria.
Ikpeba made the call on Friday in Akure at a news conference ahead of the finals of annual Akogun Football Competition holding in Oka-Akoko, Akoko South-West area of Ondo state.
The former 1994 African Cup of Nations winner, who said he was also a product of grassroots football, added that football development should not be left for government alone.
Ikpeba also said that for his teammates to have graced the occasion in the past, showed that the competition was on the right track of discovering more talents for Nigeria.
”It’s a privilege to be in Akure, I am here to support Akogun Gbenga Omole for what he has been doing, I think this is the sixth edition, i am also a product of grassroots football.
”Personally, I do believe that though i have stopped playing,I still get myself involved in football.
”I am still part of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical committee, so it’s our role to support grassroots football.
”So when the honourable contacted me and I saw what he has been doing in the past six years, I was impressed and I think there is no better way to give something back to the community and see how you can develop these young boys and girls.
”I know the people love their football in Ondo State, I decided to come and my teammates have been here before to support what he is doing,” Ikpeba said.
He also pledged his support for the initiative, adding that it would be a privilege to be in Akoko.
“I want to commend him and also appreciate the governor, he saw us yesterday, I want to thank the people of Ondo state, it was peaceful when we got here yesterday,” the 1996 Olympics gold medalist said.
The organiser of the competition, Gbenga Omole, said the competition had produced more talents for local teams, with about five of them already playing outside Nigeria.
Omole said that apart from discovering talents the competition was also initiated to promote unity and love, peace and progress among the youths.
He further stated that, over the years, the likes of Ben Iroha, Dosu Joseph, Mutiu Adepoju and Peter Rufai had graced the occasion.
He said that being anfootball lover, who had invested in football before he ventured into politics, he regarded football as a way to execute youth empowerment programmes while also uniting them.
”Their presence and other soccer scouts has yielded results as we have had talented players exported to join clubs and teams outside the shore of our state.
”Football is a big business globally, spinning over $4 Billion income in 2023 and it’s to projected to rise to $5.65 Billion by 2031; we want to be part of this.
”And with proper grooming, the talents discovered in this competition can be turned to stars, and this will rub off on the thier families and communities,” he said.
NAN
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