FA chairman rates quality of play at Federation Cup final low

Seyi Akinwunmi, Chairman, Lagos State Football Association (FA), has called for improvement in the quality of play put up by football clubs in the country.

Akinwunmi said in Lagos that the Federation Cup match between Enyimba and Heartland on Sunday lacked the technical brilliance expected in a final.

The chairman urged team handlers to work on the basic skills of players so as to impart the ability of knowing when to hold onto and releasing the ball in the course of a match.

“Players should be taught the basic skills of receiving, retaining and releasing the ball which many of them do not have the technical ability for.

“The players are good, strong and if properly guided will improve on their technical skills,” he said.

Akinwunmi also said that the state had already started the screening process of players and coaches, ahead of the 18th National Sports Festival that it would host in 2012.

“We started the screening exercise two months ago and those selected will make up the football team of Team Lagos at the sports festival.

“Through this selection process, we intend to select the best set of players and coaches in expectation of a good outing at the sports fiesta,” Akinwunmi said.

He commended the proposal by the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to set up a Beach Soccer League but cautioned against its being mismanaged.

“I welcome any league as long as it is properly run because it would improve the quality of play in football in the country.

“The operators should not allow the proposed league to be marred by fraud and mismanagement, especially in the area officiating,” he said.

He added that FA was in partnership with Super Sports for a grass roots youth development programme tagged “Lets Play”.