Eguavoen Pledges To Promote Lanreleke Sports Academy, Hails World-Class Facilities As NUJ Visits Osun Coaching Course

Coach Austin Eguavoen has pledged to promote Lanreleke Sports Academy in Ile-Ogbo, describing its facilities as top-notch and recommending the institution to teams, including national sides, for camping.

Eguavoen spoke when the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, led by Chairman Comrade Dr. Adeyemi Aboderin, paid a courtesy visit to the academy on Friday.

The visit came during the ongoing NFF CAF D Coaching Licence Course hosted by the Osun State Football Association at the Ileogbo facility.

“The learning environment is awesome and the lush green pitch where practical sessions are taking place is fantastic. I will recommend this place to many teams including national teams for camping. There will be full concentration here due to wonderful hostels and other facilities. I am fully impressed by the facilities provided by Osun FA and the management of this academy,” Eguavoen said.

Responding to questions from journalists, the NFF Technical Director noted that the CAF D Licence is the entry path to all CAF coaching licences. He disclosed that 40 coaches are currently undertaking the course, stressing that “it’s not about quantity, it’s about quality.”

Eguavoen added that anyone who wishes to pursue a career in coaching must be certified, as the NFF is taking coaches’ education very seriously.

He assured that the coaches will not be left alone after the course, as necessary mentors will be provided to guide them, while encouraging female coaches to come on board and take advantage of such opportunities.

Welcoming the NUJ delegation, Osun FA Chairman Mayor Sola Fanawopo described the atmosphere of the institute as beautiful and inspiring for football development.

He commended the management of Lanreleke Sports Academy for putting up world-class sporting infrastructure, noting that the facilities have been immensely useful for state teams, private academies and individual athletes seeking a top-level training environment.

Fanawopo explained that the Osun FA deliberately brought the CAF D Licence programme to Ileogbo to help grassroots coaches acquire the required knowledge and certifications that will enable them to give quality coaching to kids at the foundation level.

He said building the capacity of local coaches is critical to the future of football in Osun and Nigeria at large.

He also expressed profound appreciation to Eguavoen, who led other top facilitators to the state for the course.

According to him, the gains of the coaching course will be felt not only by the participating coaches but by the entire football ecosystem in Osun State, as more certified coaches will translate to better groomed players.

In his remarks, Aboderin highlighted the importance of the media in sporting development, noting that no sporting revolution can succeed without adequate publicity.

He promised that the Osun NUJ will continue to support every sporting development initiative in the state, and lauded the Osun FA and Lanreleke Sports Academy for raising the bar of grassroots football development in Osun State.