By

Sunday Agunbiade 

Ifeanyi Kama, Project Manager of the Rising Stars Football League (RSFL) in Abuja, has emphasized the need for Nigerians to invest in grassroots football to uncover the country's abundant talented footballers. Kama, a passionate advocate for grassroots football, believes that nurturing young talent from the local level can yield immense benefits.

During a recent interview on the "Super Interview" segment of the Sports World Platform WhatsApp group, co-anchored by Sunday Agunbiade (Mr. VAR) and Wale Oye, Kama stressed the importance of aggressive youth engagement through a "catch them young" approach. He argued that providing direction and support to young footballers can help unlock their full potential.

Kama proposed creating a sustainable league format that can churn out talents regularly, allowing for a steady supply of skilled players to be marketed and developed. He drew parallels with Nigeria's 1994 and 1996 teams, which were largely composed of grassroots products, and suggested that similar investment could yield world-class players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The RSFL has already demonstrated its potential by transferring players abroad, and Kama urged stakeholders to replicate this success in their own domains. He rhetorically asked, "Imagine what would have happened to their talents if we didn't present such opportunities?" highlighting the importance of providing platforms for young footballers to grow and develop.

Kama's call to action emphasizes the need for a concerted effort to invest in grassroots football, providing a foundation for Nigeria to unlock its vast football potential.