Nathaniel Idowu Foundation chairman Yemi Idowu has urged Nigerian football stakeholders to overhaul youth development, calling for stronger player support, better nutrition and a fairer pathway for emerging talent.
Key takeaways
- Idowu said ability alone will not carry young footballers to success without the right support.
- He identified nutrition as a vital area that is too frequently neglected in academy and grassroots programmes.
- The Nath Boys FC proprietor called for a more balanced response to age falsification in youth competitions.
- He believes grassroots tournaments can raise players’ profiles while becoming major events in Lagos State.
- Idowu pointed to the New Maracana Stadium in Tolu, Ajegunle, as an example of productive sports investment.
Call for a stronger youth-development structure
Addressing the condition of grassroots football, Idowu said there must be a shift in how Nigeria develops and looks after young players. He argued that natural promise is only one part of the equation, with aspiring footballers also requiring suitable conditions, chances to compete and dependable systems around them.
He placed particular emphasis on diet, describing proper nutrition as a basic requirement in the development of young athletes despite it often receiving insufficient attention.
Idowu also addressed the persistent issue of age cheating, which continues to damage youth tournaments around the country. He said football authorities should establish a framework capable of providing room for players across different stages of development while protecting the integrity of genuine age-group competition.
“We have to build a system in which gifted players can progress without taking away the chances meant for authentic young players,” he said.
Media exposure, competitions and facilities
The Nath Boys FC owner recognised the contribution of the media in bringing attention to grassroots football and increasing the visibility of promising youngsters.
“I have consistently backed programmes involving children and young people because they open doors and encourage ambitions,” Idowu said.
He said effectively organised grassroots events offer clubs and academies an opportunity to present their players to a wider audience. Such competitions, he added, could grow into significant regular attractions on Lagos State’s sporting schedule.
Idowu further called for increased funding for high-standard sporting facilities. He highlighted the New Maracana Stadium at Tolu in Ajegunle, saying the venue has made a positive difference for schools and football academies. He urged Lagos State to reproduce similar projects in other areas, arguing that more facilities would expand opportunities for young athletes and support long-term, sustainable growth in sport.
