Two-Day NFF-FIFA Workshop On Nigeria’s Amateur Football Ends in Abuja

Two-Day NFF-FIFA Workshop On Nigeria’s Amateur Football Ends in Abuja

By BSN Sports 

A two-day workshop on Nigeria’s amateur football environment has ended in Abuja, with FIFA experts commending the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for its commitment to developing the grassroots and amateur game, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The workshop, held at Sandralia Hotel, featured the presentation and analysis 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 FIFA officials examined Nigeria’s amateur football structure, comparing the country’s current landscape with case studies and experiences from other FIFA member associations. They expressed optimism about the foundations being laid by the administration of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau to strengthen grassroots football development.

Declaring the workshop open on Wednesday, Gusau urged participants to pay close attention to the presentations and ensure that the knowledge gained would translate into practical improvements across the amateur football sector.

The NFF President was accompanied at the opening ceremony by NFF 2nd Vice President and NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye; NFF Executive Committee member, Rt. Hon. Nse Essien; and NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi MON.

Through a combination of presentations and practical group exercises, Sockeng and Moheb stressed the importance of investing in amateur football as a foundation for sustainable development of the sport.

They noted that long-term growth of football in any society requires sustained attention to the grassroots and amateur levels, where players, coaches and other stakeholders are first introduced to the game.

NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, also presented an overview of the state of amateur football in Nigeria, with support from Deputy Technical Director and TMS Manager, Nasiru Jibril.

The workshop brought together a broad range of stakeholders from across the Nigerian football ecosystem. Participants included NFF management, led by Deputy General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme MON; Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle; NFF staff; and officials of the National Institute for Sports.

Also in attendance were members of the NFF Congress, including Bauchi State Football Association Chairman Pascal Patrick and FCT Football Association Chairman Adam Mouktar, as well as representatives of the FCT Coaches Association, psychologists, members of the Beach Soccer and Futsal League board, Super Eagles physiotherapist Nnaemeka Anozie, and owners of football clubs and academies.

Essien, who took part in the workshop’s sessions, formally declared the event closed on Thursday evening on behalf of NFF President Gusau.

The workshop is expected to provide further impetus to ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s amateur football structures and create a more sustainable pathway for grassroots talent development.