Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan coach, Gbenga Ogunbote has disclosed that he visited the venue of the ongoing 1X Bet Cup in order to motivate young players participating in the competition.
Read Also: Hon. Orimoloye Promises To Make Street Rumble Boxing Show Better And Bigger
The former handler of Remo Stars of Ikenne, Sunshine Stars of Akure, Enyimba of Aba and Rangers International of Enugu added that he was able to confirm all he heard about the community-based youth competition.
He hailed the sponsor and organisers for putting together what he described as a high standard platform for discovering future stars of Nigerian football.
Ogunbote declared: “I heard about a competition going on in Lagos, and I happened to be around the venue. I decided to check in, and I discovered that it’s a big one.
“I decided to watch one match before returning to Ibadan, and I was so impressed with what I saw. I then told myself that I had to talk to some of the young lads.
“They need to know that, even if motivation is always there for them, they still need to believe mostly in themselves.”
The veteran tactician in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) went on to reveal specifics of the impromptu lecture he gave some of the players at pitchside.
“I told them not to take each opportunity as if you are doing anybody a favour. You are actually doing yourself a great favour.
“Believe in yourself, be dedicated, and be hardworking. Don’t relent until you get what you want. Every game must be seen as a final.
“You guys are good players, but you still have a lot to do to improve the standard of your play.
“There’s a level you will get to before you start attracting an agent, coach, or club. So, until they come for you, you need to keep working very hard,” Ogunbote sermonised.
He concluded with eulogies for the organisers and added that they have provided a very vibrant avenue to keep juvenile delinquency in check.
“This competition is a great platform for the discovery of future stars.
“If we can have more of this, we’ll be able to get many community players involved in big competitions.
“For us to get young players involved in active football, we need more people to emulate what 1XBet is doing.
“The organisers have also done well in keeping these young people busy.
“As a footballer, if you don’t have a platform to showcase your talent, before you know it, your gift will start locating somewhere else.
“You will start looking for something else to express yourself or thinking of what else to do,” Ogunbote concluded.
 of Ibadan coach, Gbenga Ogunbote has disclosed that he visited the venue of the ongoing 1X Bet Cup){kind=link}