NFF’s Futsal/Beach Soccer Courses In Lokoja

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The Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada duly represented by his deputy, Architect Yomi Awoniyi declared open the commencement of the Nigeria Football Federation’s maiden 3-days Futsal/Beach soccer introductory courses for coaches and referees in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital at the Confluence Beach Hotel.

The development according to NFF came in wake of people’s passion for football games having begun to move beyond the football pitch and onto the beach and in the light of the glowing progress achieved by Nigeria in recent times under the sporting area of Five-A-Side (Futsal) and Beach Soccer in the globe turning one of the leading Beach soccer playing Nations and ranked sixth in the World.

Deputy Govenor Yomi Awoniyi at the NFF beach soccer course

The choice of Kogi State is not far fetch considering the vast coastal lines available in the state and not neglecting the top personalities such as the only African FIFA Instructor, Mr. Sunday Okayi, the Head coach of the Supersand Eagles, Audu Adamu, who all hailed from Kogi State not exempting the fact that the National team captain alongside five key players of the National team were confirmed to be Kogi born.

Declaring open the seminar was the Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada, who was duly represented by his Deputy, Arc. Yomi Awoniyi at the Lokoja Confluence Beach Hotel, delightfully acknowledge the thoughtful decision of the NFF deeming it fit to have selected Kogi State as the venue for it Beach soccer’s maiden edition seminar adding that Kogi State having the largest unexploited coastline good enough to host beach soccer tournament and revealing the passionate interest of his boss (Captain Idris Wada) in sports appreciate the choice of the state assuring the participants a 3-days hitch-free seminar programme as the state will see to their security and peaceful stay.

Architect Yomi, who is the state second citizen, also in his later words on witnessing the scanty quantity of women involved in the seminar urged the Nigeria Football Federation to ensure the steady implementation of the 33% women affirmative quest in leadership role for the development of sports stressing that the involvement of women cannot be overemphasized as they play a fundamental role in the building of any nation.

Speaking at the opening of the programme, the President, Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Aminu Magari ably represented by Assistant Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme stated that the imperative urge to organise the seminar was hinged on the federation plans to develop the human capacity of the coaches and referee thereby keeping them professionally enough to manage tactically and technically, the rule of the game when the situation arises.

He further added, that it’s in the lofty intention of the federation at making Beach soccer a front-line domestic sporting activities in Nigeria stressing that the country has what it takes in terms of necessary facilities and amenities to make global impact through the new form of football. Ikpeme, the first African/Pioneer Grandmaster, urged the participants (Coaches and Referees) to pay good attention and spend good time in developing them into professional when opportunities comes calling, hinting that the federation is focused in becoming one of the frontline beach soccer playing Nation with plans in pole position to begin a Nigeria Beach Soccer League.

Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the seminar and Marketing Director of the Nigeria Football Federation in an introductory lecture disclosed to the seminar ‘s coaches and referees major topics to be discussed in course of the course programme, with some of the topics listed were tackling, striking, stimulating, holding, handball among others before the close of the opening session for breakfast.

Moreover, the only FIFA’s African instructor, Sunday Okayi, who recently concluded the FCT Beach Soccer Clinic, a project which attracted over 50 school children within the Federal Capital enjoined the selected coaches and referees from various part of the country present to focus on getting the best in the seminar stressing that the programme will practical and technically equip them mentally, physically and physiological ahead of real-time practice when given any coaching and refereeing function.

Samuel Ahmadu


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