The Nigeria Football Coaches Association ( NFCA), Oyo State Chapter has demonstrated its pace setting status as the association unveiled its Football DNA, aimed at rebranding grassroots football coaching towards becoming a model for other states.
The unveiling held on Thursday in Ibadan featured press conference and panel discussion, which centered on issues relating to grassroots football development, handled by relevant stakeholders, including the immediate past Director General, National Institute of Sports (NIS) , Professor Olawale Morounkola, Ex – international, Chief Mutiu Adepoju ( MON) , President of Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Ladan Bosso, ably represented by the Ist National President, Dr Isiaka Salami, Secretary, Oyo State Football Association, Mr. Kehinde Ojelowo among others.
The NFCA Chairman, Oyo State, Coach Ayo Adeyemo, while speaking at the event, hinted that the document remains a tool for the overall development of football, players , and coaches in the state .
Coach Adeyemi, who is the Director of Football Academy, Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan, called on grassroots coaches across the state to take ownership of the document and transfer the messages therein to their players with dedication and passion with a view to achieving excellence.
Adeyemo admonished the coaches to promote the culture of discipline among their players and make punctuality their watch word.He equally thanked the leadership of the association at the national level for their support as well as Oyo State Football Association for the collaboration, which according to him, played a significant role in the success of the programme .
“When I was elected Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the NFCA, I made a promise to create a shared football identity and development pathway for our coaches, our players, and our future. Today, that promise is being fulfilled”
“This DNA is not just a document, it is our football philosophy. It defines how we train, how we play, and how we nurture talent. It will bring structure, unity, and direction to football development across the state.
“To all coaches under the NFCA ,Oyo State chapter, this is your tool , the future of our football lies in how well we implement this vision”
“Together, let us build a football culture in Oyo State that produces disciplined, intelligent, and confident players for Nigeria and the world.
In his remarks, Chairman, Oyo State Football Association, Alakinyele of Akinyele, Oba, Dr . James Odeniran, represented at the event by the Association’s Secretary, Mr. Kehinde Ojelowo, posited that football has become digital and scientific, hence , the need for grassroots coaches to acquire the required knowledge to nurture their players to stardom and also thrive in the business.
In their separate remarks, former Director General, NIS, Professor Olawale Morounkola, Ist Vice Chairman, NFCA, Dr Isiaka Salami and the former Super Eagles forward, Mutiu Adepoju, MON, were of the opinions that the trend in the round leather game demands grassroots football coaches to embrace professionalism, continuos learning, effective communication, use of positive words both on and off pitch, self development, able to identify talents ,give clear demonstration of activities at training sessions among others.
They encouraged the coaches to continue to seek relevant education for carrier progression and adopt a paternal coaching approach with a view to providing a protective environment for young athletes under their tutelage.
Earlier , Coach Oyeyemi Samuel, explained that the Oyo State DNA was designed to create a unified football structure and culture across the state thereby ensuring consistency in the development of football.
