Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, Chairman of the Ogun State Football Association and Executive Board Member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has emphasized the critical importance of youth development in football across Ogun State and Nigeria.
Following the conclusion of the preliminary round of the 2024 Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation (KAAF) age-grade competition, Majekodunmi underscored the need for consistent efforts to identify and nurture young talents.
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During a review of the competition, Majekodunmi expressed his satisfaction with the level of skill demonstrated, particularly by the female teams.
“I am particularly impressed with the female teams,” he said. “That’s one area we really need to improve on, and I think the current crop of players are not doing badly.”
Majekodunmi acknowledged the contributions of Sir Kesington Adebutu, whose foundation has played a significant role in supporting youth football.
He also highlighted the ongoing support from Bet9ja, which recently sponsored the State League, and expressed confidence that future competitions will continue to grow.
The Chairman called for additional involvement from corporate organizations to help realize the vision of the Ogun State Football Association.
“We are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that we give the lads proper monitoring and projection,” Majekodunmi noted, as he emphasized the association’s commitment to offering young talents the guidance they need.
Majekodunmi, who recently accompanied Nigeria’s Under-20 team to the WAFU B U-20 tournament in Togo, remains confident in the country’s potential. He believes that Nigeria has an abundance of talent and should not face challenges in forming strong youth teams.
Looking ahead, he hinted at an ambitious 2025 calendar, which promises more competitions and broader opportunities for young players, reinforcing his belief that youth development is “non-negotiable” and critical for the future of Nigerian football.
