First 100 Grassroots Football Coaches Graduate from NIS in Lagos

A historic milestone was achieved in Lagos as the first batch of 100 grassroots football coaches graduated from the National Institute for Sports NIS on Saturday. This marks the completion of a one month specialized training program, organized in collaboration between the Lagos State Football Association LSFA and the NIS, Africa’s leading sports training centre.

The collaboration between the NIS and the LSFA is seen as a significant turning point for Lagos football, providing new coaches with the knowledge and skills to foster young talent effectively. Hajji Gafar Liameed, Chairman of the LSFA, expressed his excitement about the success of the program, emphasizing that this pilot batch is just the beginning of a plan to train over 5,000 grassroots coaches in the next four years.

Liameed called the graduation a momentous feat and predicted that the program’s long term effects would benefit both Lagos State and Nigerian football as a whole. The initiative is expected to create a more professional and structured football environment at the grassroots level, signalling a brighter future for Nigerian football.

Editorial

The graduation of the first 100 grassroots football coaches from the National Institute for Sports marks a pivotal moment in the future of Nigerian football. This initiative, led by the Lagos State Football Association, represents a serious effort to professionalize coaching at the grassroots level, ensuring that young players are nurtured by well trained, qualified coaches.

During the graduation ceremony, Professor Olawale Moronkola, the Director General/CEO of the NIS, congratulated the new coaches, highlighting the importance of their achievements for Nigerian football. He noted that the initiative was designed to tackle the growing issue of unqualified coaches and quackery in the sport, aiming to improve the development of grassroots football in the country.

Moronkola also praised the LSFA for its commitment to grassroots football development, stating, Your dedication to the growth of grassroots football is remarkable, and together, we can establish a strong foundation for the future of the sport.

We believe that this initiative has the potential to reshape grassroots football in Lagos and Nigeria, addressing the widespread issue of unqualified coaches and creating a system that supports the development of young talent. The fact that over 5,000 more coaches are set to be trained over the next four years is a promising indication that this is only the beginning.

It is crucial for the growth of Nigerian football that these grassroots programs continue to receive support, as they are the foundation upon which future stars are built. With well trained coaches leading the charge, young players across Lagos will have the chance to hone their skills in a structured environment, setting the stage for greater success at higher levels of the sport.

Did You Know?

1. The Lagos State Football Association aims to train over 5,000 grassroots football coaches in the next four years.
2. The National Institute for Sports NIS is Africa’s premier sports training centre and plays a vital role in developing sports professionals.
3. Grassroots football in Nigeria is seen as a key area for the discovery and development of future football stars.
4. The collaboration between the NIS and LSFA aims to tackle the issue of unqualified coaches in grassroots football.
5. The newly graduated coaches will be instrumental in creating a more structured and professional football environment in Lagos.