Fresh blames lack of facilities on stunted sports development

The chairman of Niger State Football Association, who doubles as a member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee, Mr. Ahmed Yusuf Fresh has identified lack of facilities as the main challenge hampering the development of sports at the grassroots level.

Yusuf, who spoke in Rijau, Niger state, shortly after inspecting the ongoing construction work at Rijau 5,000 capacity mini stadium.

The facility is being constructed by the House of Representative member, representing Magama/Rijau federal constituency of Niger State, Hon. Shehu Saleh.

The NFF Board member stated that until adequate attention is paid to the development of sports facilities at the local level, our sports, especially football will continue to decline.

“I wonder what we can achieve in our desire to develop the game if football at the grass root without facilities,” Fresh noted.

Fresh, who was in Rijau for the final of this year’s Rijau FA football competition, urged government and individuals to help address the challenges facing sports development at the grassroots.

“You see I am a grassroots man, and I strongly believed that all our efforts towards the development of the game of football must start from the grassroot, that is the foundation, that is the base and we must get it right from that level, if not our football will continue to witness decline”.