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Karl
Senior Member
USA
914 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 22 2005 : 10:06:38 AM
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Daily Champion (Lagos)
EDITORIAL
June 17, 2005
Posted to the web June 17, 2005
Lagos
OVER the years, Nigeria has established herself as a foremost footballing nation. Such is her pedigree that it is almost inconceivable to discuss the global game without a mention of this soccer-loving country that has produced a host of stars and household names.
While Nigeria's march to soccer greatness may have started with her historic qualification for the 1968 Mexico Olympics, there is no doubt whatsoever that the world began to take a closer look at her potentials following the Under-17 team, Golden Eaglets' exploits at the China '85 FIFA tournament. It was Nigeria and indeed, Africa's first ever silverware in a major world event.
More than any other factor, Nigeria's high rating in the round-leather game is attributable to her performance in global age-grade events. These include the Golden Eaglets' triumphs of 1985 and 1993, and the breathtaking feat of the N****wo Kanu-inspired Dream Team at the Atlanta '96 Olympics. There is no gainsaying that a viable youth development programme, particularly at the g****roots level, will ensure a steady flow of talents to the various national age grade teams.
The Manuwa Adebajo Cup (otherwise christened the Academicals' Cup) and the various competitions organized by the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) were veritable hunting grounds for the discovery and nurturing of talents in the 70s and 80s.
The likes of Stephen Keshi, Samson Siasia, Ifeanyi Udeze, Daniel Amokachi, Lemmy Isah, Nduka Ugbade, Wilson Oruma, N****wo Kanu and Celestine Babayaro among others, were all products of these catch-them-young programmes.
Sadly, however, the vibrancy that was the hallmark of Nigeria's developmental football, appears to have been lost. The upshot of this has been the inability of coaches of national age grade teams to present the right calibre of players for major championships. For a country with an enviable history in youth football, it is mind-boggling that Nigeria's last successful outing in a global championship was at Atlanta '96.
Apart from the economic downturn which has dealt corporate sports sponsorship a big blow, a major part of the blame for the decline in youth football must go to the Nigeria Football Association (NFA).
Lacking the needed expertise and logistics, the association's technical department rather than provide the support for this largely individual and private sector driven initiative to thrive, went headlong into same. The outcome was a monumental disaster. As things stand, the NFA which is in a state of flux, has no concrete plans for youth football development. The youths represent the future of the sport, and any policy that doesn't take cognisance of this fact is doomed to failure.
It is against this backdrop, that we call for concerted efforts to reinvigorate youth football. Rather than exhibit a lukewarm attitude to such private initiatives as YSFON, the Pepsi Football Academy and the Shell Cup among others, the NFA should regard these selfless and patriotic endeavours as an invaluable contribution to the development of Nigerian football, and their sponsors as partners in progress. Brazil's dominance of world football could be put down to its well-structured and result oriented youth football.
Even as we contend with the absence of a deep-rooted culture of youth football in Nigeria, our clubs must borrow a leaf from other climes where cadet football schools enjoy a pride of place. Ajax Amsterdam which once had the Nigerian duo of Finidi George and N****wo Kanu and Ogbonna Kanu on its payroll, has a reputation for this. It is also noteworthy that Cote d'Ivoire's top two clubs, Africa Sport and ASEC Mimosa, and a host of South African teams, have well defined youth development programmes in place. The feeder teams are meant to replenish the main squads.
Besides, in an era football has become a billion dollar business, it is cheaper and more financially rewarding to groom and sell players.
The trend globally is for government to move away from sports, while providing a conducive atmosphere for athletes to attain their full potentials, through private initiative.
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Karl |
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Youth Development - Comments on Nigeria
