By Daily Sports on December 8, 2016

When you hear people speak and write about the likes of Isaac Success, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Moses, Kenneth Omeruoh, et al, and how they rose to riches and fame from the grassroots, one demographic doesn't always get highlighted.

‘The coach who discovered him’ is praised, the parents are celebrated or ridiculed for their roles in the rise of their wards, while political figures jump on players fame at times to claim some political credit.

But there’s a usually quiet influence that are instrumental in the rise of grassroots footballers to stardom, and that comes from friends. Good friends are there to provide support to their ’baller friends through offering of positive advice, being there for them in moments of crises with coaches, teammates, or parents, acting as intermediaries between the players and prospective buying clubs and also, in some cases, providing financial support for kits, feeding, travel expenses, etc.

These oft silent voices don’t usually get heralded in the arena of glory-claimers, but I see their influence and they are an important demographic in the growth of the game.

One of such good hearts is Chucks Ojioma. He's a Benin City-based blogger who is fast acquiring a good reputation for his philanthropic efforts to get his friends who are talented in the round leather game the much needed support in order for them to continue to effectively concentrate in honing their football skills.

I caught up with him at the School of Health Technology football field off the Sapele Road area of Benin City where he had come to monitor some of his friends train with Saviors FC, a promising grassroots outfit.

He told me his dream is to manage exciting talents to the pinnacle of football and that that's one of his ways of contributing to society development.

Ojioma said: “I want to help young footballers fulfil their goals. I work round the clock to give them connections to top agents and clubs around the globe.”

Ojioma attends a lot of local and national football competitions to spot talents and support such talents with what they need to get better. While most agents and clubs are only interested in the welfare of players when they have become popular figures, the likes of Ojioma are there to spot the talents early and invest in their welfare.

"A lot of good young footballers unfortunately leave the game early because they can’t cope with the challenges of getting money to feed, to buy kits and transport themselves to different places for trials or competitions. When I see how many good young players suffer, I'm moved and I give my token to them to help them push on. I love the game and there’s much joy I get in helping players,” Ojioma said.

Ojioma plays a fine role of an intermediary, acting as a representative between players and clubs. Recently when my local team, Benin Warriors FC, were to travel for the Frank Peters youth tournament, we needed a player who directed us to his ‘manager’ who is Ojioma. He sounded us out and sought to ensure that the player’s welfare would be well taken care of.

Stories of such little efforts by such young men who care about the progress of the game in their own little way need to be told so that others of like-minded individuals can step up to support, not just their friends alone, but other talented players to greatness. The reward of such support can be great for the country and the helper as well.

Imagine how those who helped these big stars of world football today would be potentially benefiting. There are stories of ingratitude here and there, but there are also stories of the helper being massively rewarded.

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 8, 2016

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