Sanusi Abdul Hamed, a spectator and football enthusiast, shared his candid views on the ongoing Amusa Community Championship, emphasizing its potential impact on grassroots football in Nigeria.
Hamed, acknowledging the tournament’s maiden edition status, referred to it as a valuable case study. He highlighted the players’ impressive performances and expressed the need for post-tournament evaluations to identify standout talents.
He emphasized the hunger exhibited by the players, particularly those eager to make a name and a living for themselves in football.
He stated in an insightful interview, “You know when you want to go outside the shores of the country, you know how hungry these our lads can be. They’ve exhibited it.”
Offering his perspective on grassroots football in Nigeria, Hamed pointed out a shift back to the grassroots, contrasting it with the old days when national team players primarily emerged from grassroots programs.
He underscored the importance of redirecting focus to grassroots football, urging football authorities at both state and federal levels to invest in scouting, sponsorship, and development.
He commented, “It is the right time, we forget scouting for players abroad. The already-made ones. They cannot offer us anything. We need these hungry boys, these boys that want to make the name and the money.
So that is the more reason we have to go back to the grassroots football and scout for them, encourage them, try and sponsor them so that Nigeria can be great again, so we can go back to our real position in football.”
Responding to a question about the Nigerian national team, Hamed stressed the importance of starting player development from a young age.
He emphasized the need to nurture players through various stages, starting from the under-16 level, through under-20 and under-22, before reaching the national team.
Hamed argued against the prevalent focus on ready-made players and highlighted the benefits of developing young talents from the grassroots.
He explained, “You have to start from somewhere. All those big names we have. They came up from the academy, then from the academy to the youth.
How You Can Get a Chance To Become a Millionaire
From the youth, you don’t go and look for a player that is already made and you want him to give you his best. Because by the time he’s going to be made, he’s already at his peak.”
In response to a question about the role of politics in football, Hamed candidly acknowledged its pervasive presence in various spheres of life.
He lamented the negative impact of personal interests overriding national interests in football. Hamed called for a more strategic and nationalistic approach to football administration.
He remarked, “There is nothing you want to achieve without politics. It is there in every sphere of life. And that is what is killing us. We are not playing it in the right way. Our interests override the national interest. Personal interest has overridden the national interest.”
Sanusi Abdul Hamed shared valuable insights into the Amusa Community Championship, grassroots football development, and the influence of politics in the sport.
His perspectives shed light on the complexities and challenges facing football in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for a renewed focus on nurturing young talents from the grassroots level.
