FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT: Lagos "Centre Of Excellence" Will Remain Pacesetter In Sports In Nigeria - Prince Adeyinka Adeboye

BY: OLATOYE OLAWALE

          Prince Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye

Senior Special Assistant To The 

Governor on Sports

As the world of sports remain in a lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, it has been revealed that Lagos State government is bent on retaining its enviable spot as the best in sports in Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview with journalists on Nigeria Sports Centre WhatsApp group, the Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State governor on Sports, Prince Adeboye Adeyinka began by stating that the state is working towards having more teams playing in Nigeria's top flight league, the NPFL. Adding that the likes of MFM, Smart City FC, 36 Lions, Box to Box FC, and others are doing well.

He stated further that the Lagos State Sport Commission has done well with the calibre of people in charge; the Director-General, the Chairman, himself and the supervisory ministry.

When asked about how managed to retain his position as the SSA to the Lagos State governor on Sports despite working with the former governor Akinwumi Ambode, he said," My hardwork and dedication paved way for me".

On the issue of athlete  development, he said  " We don't believe in readymade names in Lagos State sport. We believe in catch-them-young. That's why if you look at history, grassroot athletes have always represented the state in national and international events".

😉Continue Reading Below ...😜

 

Follow @SportFlames_ Tweet

On the issue of infrastructure, we are working hard to make sure sport infrastructure do not deteriorate. We have renovated the Teslim Balogun and Onikan Stadium to world class standard.

He shared his opinion on the issue of expatriate coaches and home based coaches. "We pay expatriate coaches in dollars while we pay home based coaches in naira which shouldn't be". "The home based coaches like Samson Siasia, Emmanuel Amunike and Sunday Oliseh have done excellently well outside Nigeria. Let's try them out because they've gone for refresher courses, let's try them to see what they can do", he said.

On the bribery allegations trending recently, the sports administrator and president of Lagos amateur football side, Smart City said " It sounds funny that there are allegations that Nigerian coaches takes bribes.

" I am going to dismiss those allegations. Those making the allegations are just talking now about something that happened 10-12 years ago. They should mention names if they are being sincere. I won't buy the idea of spoiling the name of our homegrown coaches. They should be respected", he concluded.


Credit: Babatunde Ojo

 

Follow @SportFlames_ Tweet