Ikpeba calls for more grassroots football competitions

A former Super Eagles player, Victor Ikpeba, has asked stakeholders to inject more grassroots football competition initiatives into the round leather game to produce more talent for the country.

He stated this in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at a press conference heralding the finals of the annual Akogun Football Competition, which would be held in Oka Akoko, headquarters of the Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state.

The former African Footballer of the Year said the development of the game should not be left to the government alone.

“I do believe that though I have stopped playing, I still get myself involved in football. I am still part of the Nigeria Football Federation Technical Committee, so it’s our role to support grassroots football. Everyone should support football development in Nigeria.

Commending the organiser of the competition and former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Gbenga Omole, the member of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and 1996 Atlanta Olympic winning teams, urged individuals, communities, and state governments to emulate Omole, asking NFF to engage in grassroots football hunting for the development of the game.

“So, when the honourable (the organiser) contacted me and I saw what he has been doing in the past six years, I was impressed, and I think there is no better way to give something back to the community and see how you can develop these young boys and girls.

“I know the people love football in Ondo State. I decided to come, and my teammates have been here before to support what he is doing. We are here to support what he is doing, and it will be a privilege to be in Akoko.”

The organiser, Omole, said the competition had produced more talent, with about five already playing in foreign leagues.

“Their presence and other soccer scouts have yielded results, as we have had talented players exported to join clubs and teams outside the shore of our state. Football is a big business globally, spinning over $4b income in 2023, and it’s projected to rise to $5.65 billion by 2031. We want to be part of this.

“So with proper grooming, the talents discovered in this competition can be turned into stars, and this will make great impacts on their families and communities,” Omole added.