Grassroots Football remains the foundation of our success -Ibrahim Musa Gusau, NFF President



I am delighted to be in Osun State, the home of grassroots football. With over 400 grassroots football clubs affiliated with Osun FA, over 400 grassroots coaches, 13 referee societies, and over 15 independent grassroots leagues, Osun is truly the home of grassroots football in Nigeria.  







I learned that 32 grassroots football clubs participated in the SmartCity Osun State Football League. I also learned that 8 female clubs have registered for the Osun Women’s Football League which is scheduled to kick off on August 30th.  


Grassroots football must remain the foundation of our football. They are the bedrock of our model, and I am deeply grateful to all the stakeholders in Osun football who understood what is at stake in keeping this model and working to bring more people into football from the grassroots.


 


*Football is a public commodity*


Football is a public commodity.  It doesn't belong to anyone, or rather it belongs to everyone: to players, coaches, referees, supporters, volunteers, and communities. It is good to know that a community-owned football club from Osun State, Igbajo United Football Club has qualified to play in the second tier of our football league system. The NNL. Community-owned football clubs are a model we must all nurture and develop to drive the growth of our game. I congratulate the Igbajo community for this feat. You have a supporter in me.


*Football is for men and women*


Football is an inclusive sport, open to everyone. Football is for men and women. Football is for both young and old. I am happy that Osun FA is promoting inclusivity with the planned Women’s League and the Osun State Corporate Football League to promote recreational sports.


*Solidarity and investment are the keys to football development*


Government is the largest stakeholder in our game. I appeal to the Osun State Governor to help us build more stadiums, and more modern training pitches and also support private and community-owned clubs with football grants.


*Thanks to ex-Internationals and current internationals from Osun State*


I must not forget to appreciate the sacrifices of the legends of our games from Osun State. I appreciate the contributions of our ex-internationals such as Chief Ademola Adeshina, Felix Owolabi, and  Rabiu Afolabi.


*We must protect our game*


Football existed before we came, and it will exist when we're gone. But in the meantime, as long as we remain responsible for it, we must do our utmost to protect it. To protect the players. To protect the game.


This is my pledge. 


 


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