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Grassroots
Soccer Developers Association of Nigeria (GRASSDON) has expressed
disappointment at being left out by the National Sports Commission (NSC)
when a committee was constituted to help resuscitate academicals sport
competitions in the country.

The national
coordinator of the body, Ossy Nwaokebia, stated that his group’s
non-inclusion in the committee was tantamount to neglect by the NSC.

Mr Nwaokebia was
speaking in reaction to the formation of a committee that was
inaugurated two weeks ago by order of President Goodluck Jonathan. The
directive was for the NSC to revive the academicals cup competitions as
an avenue for taking sports to greater heights in the country. Since
GRASSDON is the umbrella body for grassroots football in the country, Mr
Nwokeabia believes the group should be integrated into the mainstream
of the nation’s grassroots football development.

“GRASSADON has
written to the National Sports Commission intimating them of the
developmental plans of the body but since then nothing has come out of
it. Shutting the body out shows that all the efforts made by us to aid
the nation’s football development are not being appreciated. We are the
people on the ground, who run grassroots football on a daily basis. We
know the problems associated with grassroots football development.

“It is our belief
that we can contribute a meaningful quota to the development of football
at the grassroots.” The committee, which was inaugurated on April 8,
has as its chairman Segun Odegbami, who was discovered through the
academicals. The sports minister, Toaheed Adedoja, has explained that
the new initiative would exploit the abundant talent available in
Nigeria and that it would provide an equal opportunity for both men and
women to excel.

Mr Nwaokebia has however said the group would not relent as they are
already writing a reminder letter to the National Sports Commission to
register their grievances and seek a possible solution.