By Daily Sports on August 29, 2019

In a bid to reposition youth football and ensure the better development of grassroots players in Edo State, the recently elected chairman of the Edo FA Henry Asemota has called for a meeting with all youth coaches in Edo State.

The meeting, which is scheduled for Friday, August 30, at the office of the chairman, located at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, would expectedly see the chairman lay out his plans for youth football in the state.

Also the youth coaches, many of whom have laboured under tough financial constraints in trying to keep their clubs together, would expectedly bare their minds on the challenges they are facing and offer suggestions on how the fortunes of grassroots football can be bettered.

A statement informing youth coaches of the meeting reads in part:

“Good morning coaches. This is to bring to your notice that all grassroots coaches in Edo state are to meet on Friday this week at Sam Ogbemudia Stadium with the FA chairman by 11:30am.

Issues to discuss about,

1. How best we can develop football in the state.

2. Challenges the grassroots coaches are facing and how the FA can help.

3. Players security and welfare.

4. Calendar for grassroots competitions and other important issues.

Pls, the meeting is very important for those that have the true passion for football development in the state.”

Edo State is blessed with a lot of talented young players, many of who have gone on to fine professional careers and have represented the various national teams of Nigeria.

However, there are a number of teething problems afflicting grassroots football in the state that run the gamut of poor government funding of football competitions, lack of quality pitches for teams to train and the notorious gang wars which have claimed the lives of some good young players.

Some years ago a promising left fullback of Edo State origin Douglas Uzama, who played his professional football for Gombe United and had featured for the junior national teams of Nigeria, the Golden Eaglets and The Flying Eagles, was shot and killed in Benin City, in a suspected cultism related reprisal attack.

Mr Asemota some months ago defeated the incumbent, Hon. Sam Ilaboya, to become Edo FA Chairman.

Meanwhile, plans are in place for the Edo State League final match between BJ Foundation FC of Benin City and AFSA FC of Ekpoma. The match comes up on September 11.

The two clubs have formidable players with massive talents and the final game, which holds at the S&T Barracks pitch in Benin City, is expected to witness the finest fireworks of youth football in the state.

The winner of the game would have the opportunity of going for a national playoff in order to fight for a place in the national amateur league.

•Photo shows newly-elected Edo FA Chairman Henry Asemota (R) during his swearing in in Benin City

Source Daily Sports

Posted August 29, 2019

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