Emmanuel Osahon, the owner of Robo Queens FC, has raised alarm over the state of grassroots sports in Nigeria, citing poor funding and resources as major barriers to the country’s athletic development.
Speaking on the challenges faced by young athletes, Osahon highlighted the trend of Nigerian players being lured to neighboring countries like Togo and Benin, where they often find better opportunities.
He also spoke on the importance of collective effort in rebuilding Nigeria’s sports sector.
“The problem now in Nigeria, we just need to work hard. It has to be the responsibility of everybody. We need to win,” Osahon stated.
Osahon argued that grassroots coaches are a vital part of the equation but are often under-supported, which leads to a gap in the development of local talent.
“A lot of things need to happen. And the first point I would like to make is the coaches in the grassroots need to be encouraged. All the grassroots coaches are really struggling.”
He pointed out that this lack of support often results in young players being poached by other countries before they even get a chance to develop locally.
“And that is why, you see, when they are not throwing a player, before the player gets to limelight, he’s gone to Togo, he’s gone to Benin, he’s gone to unknown countries. The time for continuity in our growth has come,” he explained.
Osahon lamented the loss of established local talent and the absence of recognizable names in Nigerian sports today.
“In Nigeria before, in Benin, you can mention who and who will play Super Falcons. You can mention who and who will play under-17. But now, if you don’t see some girls, some names, you’re going to wonder, where is this coming from?”
While football is often at the forefront of these discussions, Osahon made it clear that the challenges extend across all sports in Nigeria.
“They are killing grassroots. I’m not talking about football alone. I’m talking about sports in general,” he added.
Emmanuel Osahon calls for a renewed focus on grassroots development, urging for a collective push to revive Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global sports stage.
