Kunle Adelabu
-Seeks more corporate, individual supports
In order to ensure that the Igbogbo Beach Soccer team, which is currently participating in 2021 National Beach Soccer League, prepare and perform very well in the second phase of league in Kebbi, the royal father of lgbogbo, His Royal Majesty, His Royal Majesty Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo has led others in providing assistance and support for the team.
In the same vein, the Chairman of the Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area, Builder Sesan Daini, has equally pledged the support of the council towards the participation of the team in the second phase of the national beach league which commences in May in Kebbi.
THE IMPACT gathered that the team was formally presented to the revered traditional ruler of the ancient Igbogbo town and the Council Chairman separately last week.
Speaking with THE IMPACT which has been following the team, Mr Tolu Faniyi, the leader of the Igbogbo Beach Soccer team who led them to the first phase of the league where the Igbogbo team won their opening match against Edo Beach Soccer Club and lost the last two matches lack of technical knowledge and experience, said that Adeboruwa, a first class monarch, has pledged massive support for the team’s pre- second phase preparations and the league proper.
“Yes, there has been a lot of support and encouragement for the team since returning from the first phase of the league.
“The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Abdul-Semiu Kasali, Emugoriade 1, has been of immense support to the team.
“He has made a lot of arrangements to enable the team have good preparation for the second phase and also have successful outing when the league restarts in Kebbi and other centres.
“The royal support is also aimed towards having a formidable beach soccer team that will be recognized all over the world”.
He also acknowledged the gesture of the Chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Builder Sesan Daini, whom he said has also pledged to give the team maximum support.
While stating that the team needs corporate sponsorship, Faniyi added that some individuals are also ready to support the team.
“The chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Builder Sesan Daini has also made commitments to support the team in their preparations for the second phase of the beach soccer league in Kebbi and also towards having a formidable beach soccer team in lgbogbo.
“Individuals have also shown support and encouragement for the team.
“We, however, seek corporate sponsorships and more supports from individuals in order to make our outing in Kebbi a successful one”, he pleaded.
Faniyi, who also doubles as the President of the Igbogbo – based Development Vanguard, also told our reporter that the team performed very well in the recently concluded first phase of the beach soccer league in Lagos.
“The team performed optimally well considering the time we had to prepare for the competition. We had just two days to prepare for this event; putting the players and logistics together within the period was not easy but we thank God, we went, we saw and we conquered”, he said.
“This was evident from the accolades we got from beach soccer coaches and officials present at the competition. Some of our players were even considered for National team assignment”, he added.
“In all, it was a great outing”.
The Igbogbo team leader said that corporate sponsorship will go a long way in helping the team to perform better.
“We didn’t get corporate sponsorship while going for the event, we only got very few individual that financially supported the team and we do sincerely appreciate that as we were able to make impressive impact as a result of the support we got.
“We seek corporate sponsorship and more financial support for the team as this will go a long in enabling the team to make a positive impact at the next phase of the competition”, he solicited.
Meanwhile, Mr Faniyi has stated that the team has commenced training in earnest for the second phase of the national league.
“The team has commenced training in earnest in preparation for Kebbi”, he said.
“They started with the physical training which will be followed by on pitch training and video analysis sessions which will be off the pitch”, he added.
“Plans are in place to have our training sessions in other parts of Ikorodu and Lagos State”.
He also said that friendly matches have been arranged for the team to keep players in a competitive mood.
“We have arranged some friendly matches for the team. These friendly matches will be against teams in Ikorodu and outside of the division”.
He also said that the team has analysed its performances in the first phase of the league and already working on corrections where necessary to have a better performance in Kebbi.
“After the first phase in Lagos, we did a SWOT analysis of the entire team. We know our strengths, we have identified our weaknesses and our opportunities and we were able to decipher our threats, with this in place, Kebbi promises to be a better outing.
“Like I mentioned to you earlier, our training plans which are more comprehensive than what we had while going for the first phase in Lagos, is better put place in place for proper understanding & interpretation of the rules of the game”, Faniyi said.
“We will also be having video analysis sessions with the team. All these are done with the technical crew.
“We believe that putting this in place will give the team better understanding of the game and rules which will enhance our chances of getting better results”.
Meanwhile, the Igbogbo – born FIFA rated Beach Soccer Referee, Mr Jelili Ogunyiwa, speaking with THE IMPACT on how to improve the team technically, said that he’s offering the team professional assistance.
“We have discussed with them (management of the team) and I was able to take the players on some salient points last week Friday.
“We have also concluded on drilling the players more on the rules of the game with the use of video illustrations. I’m awaiting their invitation to classroom”, he added.
He said that workshops and training are very important to enable the team have necessary preparations for the next phase in Kebbi.
Ogunmuyiwa added that he would be ready and willing to offer his technical assistance to the team whenever he’s called upon.
