Saturday drew a beehive of activities at Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) sports ground near Ijesha Express Bus Stop in Lagos, as kids, coaches, officials, family members and guests of FROLTISH Football Academy gathered for their end of year get together.
Sports247 reports that the day was spiced with prayers, songs of praise, motivational speeches, guidance lectures, fun games and presentation of awards to outstanding players in the academy.
Head coach and technical director of the academy, Umoette Athan (Lapa) set the ball rolling by giving a brief history of the project, which he disclosed used to be known as Starlet FC and produced former Super Eagles’ midfielder, John Ogu, among many others.
He also revealed that FROLTISH is an acronym formed from the first two letters of five names – Friday Ebeye, Oluwole Olaolu, Lapa Umoette, Timothy Ebeye and Shola Garba – who are the co-owners.
Next to speak was chairman of the day and secretary-general of Nigerian Grassroots Football Federation (NGFF), Pastor Oscar Ezinwa Emmanuel, who took the kids through praise songs and prayers, as well as a motivational speech.
‘TM’ Oscar’s keynote address extended into a short sermon that dwelt on the need for grassroots players and young footballers in general to uphold the tenets of faith, prayers, discipline and loyalty to their youth team coaches; following which he led everyone present in a toast of goodwill to the academy’s founders.
The academy’s secretary-general, Adebiyi Adebayo ended the day’s speeches by recalling his playing days, and pointed out that he virtually rushed to China for a contract but had to quickly return home because the arrangement was not concrete.
“That’s why I always advise young players to never be in a hurry to travel out to Europe. They should be focused, hardworking and patient with their clubs here in Nigeria,” Adebayo charged.
The event ended with a roll call for photographs and the presentation of cash prizes to outstanding players in the team’s three age categories – under-13, under-15 and under-20.
ALL THE AWARDS
U13 Category
Taofeek Kareem (most disciplined player);
Goodluck Victor (most promising player);
Anosike Emmanuel (player of the season).
U17 Category
Miracle Edovie (most disciplined player);
Junior Anyalebechi (most promising player);
Abraham Daniel (player of the season).
U20 Category
Musbaudeen Jamaal (most disciplined player) Abubakar Saidi (most promising player)
Oluwasogo Omotayo (player of the season).
