LCU soccer academy, a reference point for grassroots development —Onigbinde

FORMER Super Eagles coach, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde has described the newly-established soccer school by Lead City University (LCU) as a model as well as a reference point for grassroots soccer development in Nigeria.

The FIFA/CAF advisor said he had concluded plans to partner with the privately-owned institution of higher learning to establish the Institute for the development of football at the department of Physical and Health Education made the remark while addressing newsmen after a one-week induction training held for the pioneer staff of the academy.

Also speaking during the one-week seminar, the Chairman of University of Ibadan Sports Council, Prof. Babatunde Asagba, who tutored the coaches on the law of the game thumbed up the initiative of Lead City University for investing in intellectual aspect of football which he claimed is most important “at this stage in Nigerian football”.

The head of University of Ibadan’s technical department and former Green Eagles player, Dr Abiodun Salami also delivered papers on the topic ‘Management of a Football outfit: Discipline and Teamwork among players and officials’ in the one week workshop held at the conference center of the institution.

Among the gaffers recruited by the Modakeke high chief to kickstart the academy included the former 3SC player and coach, Tunde Odubola Zico, the son of Nigeria goalkeeper in the 60’s Olu Onagoruwa, Tunde Onagoruwa, a sports psychologist and CAF ‘B’ holder, Adeoye Onigbinde and former Shooting Stars Striker, Abiodun Oladipo.

The registration and admission into the soccer school according to Onigbinde has commenced as pupils from the ages of six to 13 that falls into a beginners category would enjoy separate concentration, while children from 14 to 18 years and above would get opportunity of breaking into the proposed Lead City FC.