Nigeria Premier Football League chairman, Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye, has advised participants at the ongoing coaching seminar for NPFL coaches to adopt tech tools to improve the competitive level of the league, www.aclsports.com reports.
The League supremo gave the advice on the opening day of proceedings at the seminar organised by Nigeria Premier League Clubs Managers Association (NPLCMA) in Ikenne, Ogun State.
Elegbeleye, in his remarks, said if the coaches want to remain relevant in the era of technology-driven football management, they must embrace and acquire scientific tools for performance analysis as well as resist having over bloated squads.
“As coaches, you play a vital role in shaping the future of Nigerian football. Your dedication, expertise, and passion are essential in developing the skills and talents of our young players. I urge you to continue striving for excellence, to innovate, and to inspire your players to reach new heights,” said Elegbeleye.
“Imagine that some of our clubs register over 40 players for a season while some actually have 60 players, with the majority of them not enjoying playing time.
“We therefore have a situation where money that could be used in acquiring football technology tools are spent on salaries of unproductive players”, he lalamented.
The league chairman also went ahead to charge the coaches to collaborate, and have respect for each other.
“As a Coach, you must foster a culture of fair play, respect, and sportsmanship, both on and off the pitch”, he told the members of the association led by Shooting Stars Manager, Gbenga Ogunbote.
In a follow-up to the league’s previous statement on mandatory attendance at post match interviews, Elegbeleye told the coaches to be of good example and play their part in the development of the league.
“Our rules recognise the importance of the media hence it provided for compulsory post match pressers which requires the Coach to grant media interview at the end of every league match, whether your team won or lost.
“You must show example of good sportsmanship to your players by granting post match interviews even when your team is defeated. A rich media content not only benefits the media, but contributes in taking the league story to our homes through mobile devices, radio, television and print media. Let us make this one of our cardinal pledge to work towards a better 2025/26 NPFL season”, Elegbeleye charged the Technical heads.
Among top football personalities who graced the opening ceremony were the Chairman of Remo Stars, Hon. Kunle Soname who is also the association’s patron, Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Augustine Eguavoen, Harry Iwuala, the NPFL Communications Director, and some NPFL coaches.
