Raw Talents Discovery: Clarion Call To Government To Empower Grassroots Coaches.

By Olusola Alabi Ijobasports.

There is no way we can talk about the round leather game without acknowledging those football scouts who dedicates their time to fish out the future stars at the grassroots level.

It is unfortunate that the teeming football fans in Nigeria only hail coaches who are in the top-flight leagues, and they forget that some coaches at the grassroots level are the engine room of scouting for future stars.

The grassroots football coaches are the soccer enthusiasts who focus on grooming talented footballers across the local government in their state without any tangible support from the government.

As we value football in the World, most especially in Africa and in Nigeria in particular, we should see those grassroots coaches as Messiah for the up-and-coming stars because of their efforts.

Nothing stops governments at all levels from starting considering grassroots football coaching and talent management as a post at the Ministry of Sports at both Federal and State levels.

Even if we cannot have a grassroots coach as a Commissioner for Youths and Sports, these grassroots coaches are capable enough to be Special Advisers to the President or Governors on sports matters.

Many people erroneously see grassroots coaches as a category of people who are not educated enough, just because they are at the local level, not knowing that findings have revealed that almost 80% of the grassroots coaches are well-educated and exposed.

In the aspect of discovering the future of football stars, grassroots coaches are giving their best at all costs as they get involved in putting in place different sports competitions like; relay races, basketball events and a lot more.

Grassroots coaches have always been seen organizing sports activities under the umbrella of their associations to discover future stars through U-13,15,17 and mature teams while some sports-loving politicians that are aspiring for political offices sometimes sponsor their activities.

The coaches at the grassroots level need serious support from the government and they need to be recognized for the job well done so far in discovering future stars.

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Michael Odetunde

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Odetunde Michael Sunday is a Journalist of his generation. He combines the talent and ability of Print, Online and Broadcast Journalist in a rare manner.

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