A prominent Lagos-based grassroots football promoter, Pastor Oscar Ezinwa Emmanuel has poured encomiums on some products of two youth development projects in which he was a top official, Sports247 reports.
Pastor Oscar’s praise is for some past players of National Grassroots Dream Team at White Sand Field, Orile-Iganmu and Community Action Through Sport (CATS) at Union Bank Sports Complex, Surulere, which was sponsored by The British Council.
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The youth developer, who is fondly called ‘TM’ by his proteges and admirers, disclosed that both projects were operated simultaneously under the aegis of Nigerian Grassroots Football Federation (NGFF), where he is the pioneer secretary-general.
The clergyman, who was named Grassroots Football Marshall in 2002, made huge marks as the administrative officer and team manager of CATS, which operated a boys’ under-15 squad and female team that played in the National Amateur Women’s League.
‘TM’ Oscar said he is happy that some of the male and female products of CATS recently gathered money to organise a football carnival this Sunday, in memory of their late coach, Hyacienth Nkwocha,
“I commend this gesture by CATS products. It’s a good thing and I’m so happy with it. I congratulate every single one of them, who by cash, kind, and effort volunteered to contribute in memory of Coach Hyacienth.
“They have not forgotten their days of little beginning, and I salute their courage for that. I hope other products will emulate them and do better.
“I’m enjoying their efforts and what they are doing. It’s something that those in the Super Eagles and others in Europe must take as an example to follow,” Oscar reasoned.
He further revealed that two former players of National Grassroots Dream Team – Friday and Timothy Ebeye – have also invited him to be chairman of their academy’s end of year party on Saturday.
“The Ebeye brothers have also done well. They started it with a competition, then expanded it into an academy, and I’m happy to see that it’s still moving on.
“I thought it was just a mini-carnival, but it has grown to become an industry. It has provided jobs and a platform for many of the coaches from that arena.
“They have even helped some coaches to attend formal courses at NIS and get coaching certificates. God is taking a record of their efforts and He will surely reward them,” Oscar prophesied.
