The Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA), Ogun State Chapter, has commended the Ogun State Football Association (OGSFA) for its commitment to coaching education and grassroots football development as 40 coaches commenced the CAF D Licence Coaching Course at Agro Terra Resort, Joga-Orile, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Thursday.
The course, organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in collaboration with the Ogun State Football Association and the NFCA Ogun State Chapter, is designed to equip grassroots coaches with essential theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for CAF D Licence certification.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of NFCA Ogun State Chapter, Mr Victor Damilola Agbagu, expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded in advancing coaching education within the state, describing the CAF D Licence programme as another significant milestone for the coaching community.
Agbagu noted that two major coaching education initiatives had been achieved within six months of his emergence as chairman, following requests for an NIS coaching course and the subsequent commencement of the CAF D Licence programme.
“In just six months of my being chairman, we requested an NIS course, and now we have a CAF course. I am glad that both have been achieved,” he said.
He commended the Ogun State Football Association for responding positively to the needs of coaches and facilitating opportunities for professional development, adding that access to quality coaching education would strengthen the capacity of grassroots coaches to identify, nurture and develop young football talents.
The NFCA chairman also emphasised the importance of continuous learning and professional development in raising coaching standards and building a stronger foundation for football across Ogun State.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Ogun State Football Association, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, urged the participating coaches to maximise the opportunity by acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to improve their coaching methods.
Majekodunmi stressed that the future of Nigerian football depended significantly on the quality of coaches working at the grassroots, where young talents are first discovered and developed.
“Grassroots football is the foundation upon which the future of our game is built. If we want to produce better players and achieve sustainable development, we must invest in the knowledge and capacity of our coaches,” he said.
He encouraged the participants to take the course seriously, learn from the facilitators and apply the knowledge gained to improve player development, reaffirming the Ogun FA's commitment to initiatives that promote coaching excellence and grassroots football growth.
The Technical Director of the NFF, Augustine Eguavoen, who led the team of instructors to Ogun State, also underscored the importance of coaching education in improving football standards.
Eguavoen explained that improving player performance required corresponding investment in the knowledge, competence and professional certification of coaches. He urged the participants to embrace modern coaching methods and translate the lessons from the course into better training practices.
Other facilitators include the Head of Coaching Education at the NFF, Dr Terry Oguaje; retired FIFA referee, Alhaji F.A. Yusuf; and Coach Fatai Akande.
Football enthusiast and philanthropist, Alhaji Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, was represented at the ceremony by Hon. Tunde Elegbede, while Alhaji Hakeem Okebunmi, a member of the Ogun State FA board representing Yewa South, also attended the event, among other dignitaries.
The commencement of the CAF D Licence course represents a significant step towards strengthening coaching capacity in Ogun State, with the NFCA and Ogun FA reaffirming their commitment to developing better-trained coaches and improving the future of grassroots football.
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