By Aderonke Ojo
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 efforts to strengthen grassroots and amateur football development in the country.
The workshop, held at Sandralia Hotel, featured the presentation of the FIFA Amateur Football Environment Report on Nigeria by Amr Moheb, Amateur Football Analysis Manager, and Etienne Sockeng, Regional Technical Consultant in FIFA’s Global Football Development Division.
The FIFA officials reviewed Nigeria’s amateur football structure alongside case studies from other FIFA Member Associations.
They praised the commitment of the NFF administration led by President Ibrahim Musa Gusau to establishing structures capable of driving sustainable development of the game from the grassroots.
Declaring the workshop open on Wednesday, Gusau urged participants to pay close attention to the presentations and practical sessions, stressing the importance of gaining lessons that could contribute to the improvement of amateur football in Nigeria.
The workshop featured group exercises and interactive sessions, during which the FIFA experts emphasised that sustainable football development depends heavily on a strong and properly organised amateur football system.
NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen also presented an assessment of the state of amateur football in Nigeria, with support from Deputy Technical Director and TMS Manager Nasiru Jibril.
Participants included NFF Executive Committee members, NFF management and staff, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, officials of the National Institute for Sports.
Others members of the NFF Congress, state football association chairmen, coaches, psychologists, club and academy owners, and officials of the Beach Soccer and Futsal League.
Among those present were NFF Second Vice President and NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye, NFF Executive Committee member Nse Essien, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi,
Also Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme, Chairman of the Bauchi State Football Association Pascal Patrick, and Chairman of the FCT Football Association Adam Mouktar.
Essien, who participated actively in the sessions, formally declared the workshop closed on Thursday evening on behalf of the NFF President.
The workshop is expected to provide a framework for strengthening Nigeria’s amateur football system and creating a more sustainable pathway for grassroots talent development.
