Undoubtedly, street sports, especially football is gradually taking another dimension across Lagos. unlike before, a little effort has been put in by the government of the day, improving on and building grassroots facilities and playgrounds for talent discovery in the neighbourhoods. This in turn has contributed to the springing up of age grade clubs, cutting across age 7 to 16 years. The development of talents, one could agree, may just require more than providing play grounds across the state. Every young and aspiring star needs mental health balance, proper social upbringing, healthy and comfortable family life and very importantly, quality education to gradually develop into becoming super stars.
Obele area of Lagos Mainland is a household name and super power for grassroots football in Lagos as claimed, home for one of the most promising strikers, Abdullahi Kamara Abubakar. Kamara is borne to Guinean parents. A native of conakry but since lived in Lagos from birth and has been playing football since the age of 7. Speaking to Sports247 in an exclusive interview after his team’s 4 nil win over 11 Stars in a scheduled friendly match on 4th July 2022, in Legacy Pitch, Surulere Lagos, he expressed his difficulties being a grassroots footballer especially for a low income family like his.
The Aguda Senior Grammar School SSS 1 student revealed that among all challenges faced as an up-coming footballer, the problem of combining schooling, football and working for survival is one thing he needs to deal with everyday. Though not encouraging enough as a prospective professional football player, he still has to trade for his kampala producing father to make ends meet. ” It hasn’t been easy combining football and helping my dad in his business. He produces Kampala locally and the proceeds is what we survive with most of the time. Sometimes when my mates are on the field of play training, I will be trying to make money since our feeding and my schooling is coming from there.” The 16year old flip footed Cohesion All Star striker has fast adjusted to what he believes is normal and he is making the best use of every difficulties coming his way.
On that evening, Kamara contributed in 3 of 4 goals his side scored while dismantling their Opponent as he showed class and putting on a man of the match performance. He provided an assist for the first goal and scored two successive goals in the late part of the first half ” It does t matter how little I train, I will still come to the team and do well and I am happy with that.” He concluded.
