From Esther Akaa, Lafia
Nasarawa State Government has commended the Nationwide League One (NLO) for organising Berackiah/Abigol Football Coaching Clinic, saying the initiative would develop the capacity and competence of football managers in the country.
The Governor of Nasarawa state, Engr Abdullahi Sule gave the commendation at the opening ceremony of the football coaching clinic which held recently at the Lafia City Hall, Lafia, the state capital.
Governor Sule who was represented by the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Othman Bala Adam, assured the organisers of the state government’s support towards the success of the 5-day clinic and in the future.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, by Public Relations Officer, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Eche Amos, the governor noted that the clinic could not have come at a better time, especially when the state is finding its rhythm in sports and talents development.
The statement explained that the state government has designed policies and programmes aimed at changing the narrative in the sporting arena with priority on capacity and competence.
“I believe with the depth of technical input of this programme, it will bring about career progression and value addition to the coaches and the players alike.
“We had been left behind but we’re lucky that we haven’t lost focus. We have now found our bearing and we are going to partner with you as a state government,” the statement said.
It further revealed that the Executive Board Member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, said that the clinic, is aimed at impacting modern knowledge and techniques on the coaches.
According to the statement, Alhaji Alkali noted that NLO’s partnership with the clinic was a manifestation of his management policy-thrust, in a bid to rebrand and repackage the league as a professional campaign.
“NFF has approved this clinic as part of criteria for NLO clubs and you must have the certificate to be able to seat on the bench of NLO matches,” he said.
The statement concluded that the clinic is slated to end on Friday, 12 February, 2021.
