Date: 2012-04-05

Kwara Football Academy Secondary, Ilorin last month won this year's NNPL/Shell Cup for the first time just after six year of inception.

This singular act epitomizes grassroots development which many have said time without number. Director of the academy, Kumbi Titiloye relays the growth, establishment and management of the academy. Ime Bassey writes, Excerpt:

Establishment of the academy

Kwara Academy is the sole idea of Senator AbubakarBukolaSaraki to groom financially challenged boys in formal education and football as a latent talent.

A lot of people were skeptical about the project in its initial stage as they were worried about its success given the level of inadequate structure in the state, but today after six years, I can tell you that vision has materialized into an academy that has produced footballers with formal educationin various clubs in the NPL, NNL, Pro League and in Europe.

The difference between the boys and others is that, they are being trained with the best footballing structure coupled with the right kind of atmosphere for educational learning, which makes them discipline and informed on what it takes to a be a professional footballer and better man in future.

This makes it easy for them when they leave for professional carrier outside the academy; they perform better than their counterpart.

Present number of players in the academy

Currently we have 87 players in the academy being headed by Paul Ashtworth who is vastly experienced in youth football after spending long years in Russian and in Europe.

We also have some Nigerian coaches on the side line too, all of them ex-international; Thompson Olihia, Samuel Elijah, Alphonsus Elimoha, Jimoh Balogun, Paul Odey, Amusa Adisa and Akin Akinsheyinde.

Management of the academy

Initially, the academy was managed by the state government, but latter, Senator Saraki said government can't solely run the business of football, so he organized a fund raising dinner for the academy which eminent Nigerians contributed immensely to the academy.

We progressed from that point to sales of players outside and inside the country, also, a little of administrative funds, like registration during any screening programme.

Procedure to set up an academy

To establish an academy is very easy but tasking, in the sense that, you need a medical department, a secondary school with equip and up-to-date teachers, a good football field and sound gym. This is where the government comes into play; they set up structure like this and hand it over to the private sector to manage.

Advice to government

If the other 35 states of the federation can emulate this idea properly, Nigeria won't be experiencing violence in large numbers as there will be a reduction it because all the youth that are involved in various act of violence have one or two football talent to tap from, besides, it will pay-off in short and long term for the country.

It behooves on us as a country to tap into the abundant talent of our youths for a better sustainable social system and economy in the long run.
Businessmen will not have an investment and without the sole aim of increased profit margin.

So government has just one business in sports, that is to get the structure on ground, after that, let the private individuals run the show, this will allow for functional management with high level results.