We need grassroots Football in Ikorodu – Ex-Super Eagles player, Wasiu Ipaye

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

Former super eagles football player, Wasiu Babatunde Ipaye has urged Ikorodu football administrators at the state level to go back to the grassroots.

Ipaye speaking at the 12th edition of the Oldies Appreciation Game & Family Funfair, in Igbogbo, Ikorodu Lagos, stated that there are more talented players to be discovered for the national team and professional trade abroad from the grassroots.

Ipaye who has travelled to different countries like the United States, Brazil, and Mexico, stated that the dwindling development of football in Ikorodu compared to the good old days when Ikorodu used to have many players in the national teams was due to a lack of football clubs.

“Gone are the days when we had many international players in Ikorodu, but these days, it has gone down tremendously, maybe because there are no more football teams in Lagos playing in the premiership. The only team that we have before was MFM which has been relegated. That is definitely what contributed to the situation,” he said.

“Right now, we have Ikorodu City FC, which is in the Challenge Cup. Let’s hope that the team will rise in other competitions.

“We have started from the grassroots, that’s very important. We have started building from the local government level to the state and the national level,” he said while proffering a way out.

“They should be humble and not think that they have arrived yet. They have to learn from grass to grace. They should always listen to advice from their elders because some of these boys believe that they have arrived and they don’t want to listen to their senior ones and coaches. I am impressed. The initiative is not bad at all, and the Chairman has given assurance that the council will continue to support the organisers, and will even continue to support after leaving office. It’s great seeing some of my old colleagues here. They too belong to various All–Stars teams and they have been training. I believe that some of them that do not have the opportunity to play may be due to the weather, and are not happy because they are enjoying what we are doing on the field. I believe that there would be a better game than this in the forthcoming edition.

“I expect many sponsors, both corporate and individuals because this event can go a long and it would be a boost for us in Ikorodu. I am an Ikorodu boy and very proud of it,” he said.

However, the ex–international footballer commended the organisers of the Oldies Appreciation Game and called for support for the initiative to improve in the subsequent editions.