THE Technical Director of Kwara Football Academy (KFA), Paul Ashworth, has described the All Nigeria Secondary Schools Football Competition, also known as NNPC/Shell Cup, as one of the best things to happen to the development of young footballers in the country.

Ashworth, whose school is still savouring its maiden victory in the championship, believes that Nigeria will reclaim its position at the top of African football if other corporate bodies emulate Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and NNPC, which sponsor the annual competition.

According to Ashworth, NNPC/Shell should be commended for maintaining the tradition of providing a platform for youngsters in secondary schools to exhibit their raw talents at the grassroots level through the sponsorship of the NNPC/Shell Cup for all Nigerian secondary schools.

The KFA Secondary School, Ilorin, which won the 2012 edition of the competition with a 4-1 defeat of the National Foundation Academy, Ughelli, Delta State, in penalty shootout, made it to the final this year after beating Government Arabic College, Gwale, Kano 5-3 in one of the semi-finals.

Ashworth, who entered the history books as the first Englishman to coach in Russia, said the KFA Secondary School would continue to participate in subsequent editions because, "it is good for our students because this is the first time the KFA Secondary School will compete in the Shell Cup."

"We intend to make this an annual event for the students to contribute to their development. The long term goal is to make them develop into professional footballers through this competition aimed at boosting Nigeria’s quest for football development."