3rd AFFF: Coaches, Journalists Lament Dev Of Grassroots Football In Nigeria

TAIWO ADELU

Eze Alloysius, Coordinator PLAY!YA Nigeria, organiser of African Football Film Festival (AFFF)

Though football is regarded as one of the profitable ventures in the world today especially in the western world, in Nigeria, it is a sad story to tell among its stakeholders.

Participants at the third edition of African Football Film Festival (AFFF) tagged  “The State of African Football” held in Lagos recently used the opportunity to tell their stories how football at the grassroots has been left to survive on its own by the adminstrators.

The AFFF, organised by a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), PLAY!YA Nigeria, is using the third edition this year to bring together footballers, coaches, administrators, sports journalists and the public to discuss these challenges while enjoying top-class football films and entertaining cultural programme.

The first phase of this year’s edition was held at the Women Development Centre, Agege, Lagos on 20 April, while the Gym of the Agege Stadium will play host to the second phase on 25 April with the third phase coming up at 412 Junction, Gowon Estate, Egbeda.

The first phase gave the attendees, who included coaches and sports journalists, the ample opportunity to examine the level of grassroots football in the country. The general feeling at the forum was that the game is far from being developed.

The Coordinator of AFFF, Eze Alloysius, said the occasion was an interface between the media and the grassroots coaches, adding that it has not been Eldorado for most Nigerian players who believe that there is greener pastures in Europe. He recalled how PLAY!YA Nigeria, as a NGO, found it difficult to get assistance from official quarters in Nigeria.

“Despite the fact that we are doing selfless service to the society, administrators and official bottlenecks have been clogs in the wheel of our progress both at the state and federal levels,” Alloysius lamented.

He said part of the work of the organisation is to train Nigerian coaches and educate the players  on some things they are ignorance of, adding that most of the players found themselves in trouble today because of their level of ignorance.

“We gave them awareness, properly informed them to avoid little mistakes that could cost them their career. We also bring the players to the reality to improve their capacity because after football, they need to fall back on something profitable to earn a living.

In his contribution, Ajayi Olumide of Power Ranger Football Club said non availability of facilities and bad pitches are major problems of grassroots football in Nigeria. He said it is hard for players to find good pitches to play on in most of the localities across the country.

“Players are not motivated, so also are the coaches. I will want the media to help us tell the world how we are suffering. The media should also try to celebrate good talents from the grassroots instead of focusing on the established players in the national teams and stars abroad,” he said.

To Coach Emmanuel of Dodo FC, schools sports has been relegated into the background in the country. He noted that hardly could we find a school with a standing football team in the country today, while there is no mentor who young players would look up to in the society.

Other speakers at the one day forum such as Abidemi  Olanrewaju , Assistant Coach of AS Racines and Fatai Akande of Prodigy Football Academy lamented the lakaidaisical attitude of the administrators to the plight of stakeholders of grassroots football in Nigeria and called for a concerted effort to address this.

The climax of the day was a film show of a young Ugandan boy, Mubiru Reagan, who was abandoned by his parents in Kampala. He survives by collecting garbage and selling scrap metal, but still dreams of taking his country to the Africa Cup of Nations. The film title “The Other Kids” shows hardship for ambitious players in Uganda. It features the Spanish striker, Fernando Torres and national coach Vincente del Bosque.

The second stage of the 3rd AFFF will hold on Tuesday, 25 April at Agege Stadium will features players, coaches, journalists, sports administrators to discuss “What Future for African Footballers”.It will also feature two film shows titled African Legends Part 2 and Offside Istanbul.