The Ekiti Football Association (FA) has scheduled training for 100 coaches in the state between April and June, subject to the government’s approval.
Mr Oluwole Oloworemo, the association’s Chairman, made this known during a media chat with members of the state chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday.
“The association has partnership with the management of Nigeria Institute of Sports (NIS) in Lagos to train over 100 football coaches.
“Our coaches often travelled to Lagos for three months training, but with the intervention of the association, the staff of NIS will be visiting Ekiti to train the coaches for three weeks and issue certificates to them,” he said.
According to him, selected coaches would be registered for the training as soon as the association gets approval from the state government.
Oloworemo also said that the under 13, under 15 and under 17 football competitions would be organised in collaboration with some private bodies between May and September.
He said that the specific dates for the competitions would be announced later to give room for proper planning.
The FA chairman assured stakeholders that the Local Government Chairmen’s Unity Cup competition would soon be revived to promote the participation of youths in football at the grassroots.
According to him, works are in the pipeline to hold the tourney sometimes between October and November.
He added that all the 16 local government areas and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in the state would be involved.
Oloworemo said that the qualifications matches of the competition would be played towards the end of the year and the actual date would be announced later.
He urged stakeholders to support the FA to develop the game of football and discover hidden talents at the grassroots.
The FA chairman commended SWAN members for their commitment and support for the development of sports in Ekiti.
He said award of best sports presenters and writers would be given to members of the association towards the end of the year. (NAN)
