Victor Ikpeba, a former Super Eagles player and 1997 African Footballer of the Year, has emphasized the importance of grassroots football competitions in nurturing new talents for Nigeria.
Ikpeba made this statement on Friday during a news conference in Akure, ahead of the finals of the annual Akogun Football Competition in Oka-Akoko, Akoko South-West area of Ondo State.
The 1994 African Cup of Nations winner, who credits grassroots football for his own development, stressed that football advancement should not be the sole responsibility of the government.
Highlighting the presence of his former teammates at past events, Ikpeba noted that the competition is successfully identifying future football stars for Nigeria.
“It’s an honor to be in Akure. I am here to support Akogun Gbenga Omole for his efforts. This is the sixth edition of the competition, and I, too, am a product of grassroots football,” Ikpeba said. “Although I’ve retired from playing, I remain involved in football and am part of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical committee. Supporting grassroots football is essential.”
He added, “When the honorable contacted me, I was impressed by what he has achieved over the past six years. There is no better way to give back to the community than to help develop young talents. The people of Ondo State love their football, and my teammates and I are here to support this initiative.”
Ikpeba also expressed his support for the initiative and appreciation for the peaceful atmosphere in Ondo State, acknowledging the governor’s backing.
Gbenga Omole, the organizer of the competition, shared that the event has successfully produced talented players for local teams, with five already playing internationally. Beyond talent discovery, the competition aims to promote unity, peace, and progress among the youth.
Omole highlighted the involvement of notable football personalities like Ben Iroha, Dosu Joseph, Mutiu Adepoju, and Peter Rufai over the years. He views football as a means of youth empowerment and unification, having invested in the sport before entering politics.
“The presence of these soccer scouts has yielded results, with talented players joining clubs outside our state. Football is a significant global business, generating over $4 billion in income in 2023 and projected to rise to $5.65 billion by 2031. We aim to be part of this growth. With proper nurturing, the talents discovered in this competition can become stars, benefiting their families and communities,” Omole said.
