Posted by The Vanguard on
About 100 children attended a one-day football clinic organised by the Lagos FA as part of activities lined up to honour Inter-Milan and Super Eagles striker, Obafemi Martins.
About 100 children attended a one-day football clinic organised by the Lagos FA as part of activities lined up to honour Inter-Milan and Super Eagles striker, Obafemi Martins.
Declaring the clinic open, Mr. Bamidele Opeyemi, Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, disclosed that the clinic was organised to enable the children interact with Martins and so emulate him.
'We owe these children the responsibility to protect, counsel and give them opportunities for a life career.
'We want the young ones to see Obafemi Martins who has a humble beginning, and emulate him, pick up some football skills and develop the confidence which they need to make a career.
'The state government believes that by honouring the striker, who is an indigene of the state, we encourage him to impart values, knowledge and serve as a role model to the youth," he said.
In his speech, Martins, who started playing football at Evans Square, Ebute Meta, wished the children well and advised them to be disciplined as it was the key to success.
'You can only be a successful footballer if you are disciplined and even where you cannot make it in football, you will still succeed in other spheres of life."
He said that being part of the clinic was a way of thanking the people for their support and assisting children to develop their talents.
Some of the children who took part in the clinic told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they were happy for the opportunity and asked other Nigerian football stars and the state government to do more to develop sports.
'I am happy to take part in this clinic. I have learnt more on ball control," eight-year-old Oyinade Abina of Hearts and Soul Montessori School, Phase II, Adeniyi Adele Street, Lagos, said.
Abina, one of the three female participants, urged other football stars and the government to provide them with more of such opportunities to develop their talents.
Segun Adeniyi, 11, of Archbishop Aggey Memorial School, Mushin, said there was a need for other footballers to emulate Martins, adding that social vices would be reduced if children were kept busy.
Sunday Adams, 10, of Ansar-Ud-Deen High School, Surulere, commended the organisers and urged the government to provide schools with sporting equipment.