Another angle has been added to the ongoing heated debate over a recent declaration by some states’ football associations that no coach will be allowed to sit on any team’s bench if they do not have a coaching certificate.
While the issue draws varying reactions from far and wide, Coach Oluwaseun Ogunmoyero of Broad City FC of Lagos opined that the directive is unfair to many talented and hard-working tacticians at the grassroots.
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Ogunmoyero took a closer look at the ongoing debacle as it affects non-league clubs and stressed that grassroots football coaches deserve more respect than they currently receive at all levels of the game.
He argued further that a passionate and energetic grassroots coach should not be penalized if he shows interest in getting a coaching certificate, but his efforts are curtailed by lack of funds, administrative bureaucracy or logistics.
The erudite tactician also took a swipe at most football associations at local government, state and national levels for not making coaching courses available to trainers at the grassroots.
Coach Oluwaseun expatiated: “Looking at grassroots football coaches in this country, I think they are doing a heck of a job. They are doing their best to achieve a good job.
“To me, I feel you can’t give what you don’t have. This is a country where the best hands are not appreciated.
“For instance, I applied for a CAF course in 2018, but, to date, it has not been organised in Nigeria. Whose fault?
“This is something we can’t blame the grassroots coach for. They must not be blamed for not being respected or being denied a particular thing that they are truly deserving of.”
Ogunmoyero went on to heap loads of praises on youth club coaches and those working in grooming youngsters from various interior communities but lamented that their true values are being overlooked.
“Left to me,” Coach Oluwaseun added, “I feel grassroots coaches are trying with the best of their knowledge and ability. I feel if there are courses that are organised every month from local government to states, FA and the like, grassroots coaches will surely want to attend.
“Apart from that, most grassroots coaches find it hard to upgrade due to financial constraints. Everybody would like to go to NIS, but they may not have the money for it.
“I know a lot of coaches that have applied for NIS. Many can’t continue, while some go ahead once they have the financial capacity.
“This is why I feel grassroots coaches deserve more respect, especially for going to the extent of sponsoring themselves to get a certificate to show.”
Ogunmoyero concluded with suggestions on the way forward, and he declared: “There are some teams and people that can sponsor grassroots coaches, in as much as they are deserving of that benefit.
“They should be encouraged due to their hard work and their commitment to the development of football.
“So, left to me, I feel grassroots football coaches deserve respect.”
