ARS: COACHES, OFFICIALS APPLAUD QUALITY OF PLAY, ORGANISATION

Ibadan, Nigeria: June 8, 2012: Team coaches to the Ibadan zonal championship of the on-going Airtel Rising Stars U-17 Tournament for boys and girls have rated high the standard of play in the matches concluded Friday and Saturday just as they heaped encomiums on tournament sponsor and organizer, Airtel Nigeria for the level of organization experienced at the championship.

Head coach of the Oyo State male and female teams,Yinka Popoola described as “impressive” the quality of play at the championship and noted it was a significant improvement on the maiden edition of the ARS last year.

He said,“The standard of play has been very impressive. It is an improvement on what we had last year. Techniques of the players are more refined, teams are more competitive because all the players are of equal strength in terms of age bracket, experience and exposure to the basics of the game. This was actually achieved because there was time to screen and monitor the players.”

Also speaking, Idris Bola, Head Coach of Ekiti U-16 who led the State teams to the Zonal Championship commended the high standard of the game and attributed it to the slim margin wins recorded in the matches played.

“It has been very impressive. This is a grade A age -group tournament. It is not a trial game at all. Standard games do not usually come with a lot of goals, and this has reflected in all the matches played so far,” he said.

Tournament officials have also expressed delight at the organization of the championship. An official of the Nigerian Secondary School Sports (NSSF) from Ekiti State, Mrs. Olofinboba Modupe Oluyemi said it had been a hitch-free championship from the earlier stages of the tournament. “This ARS is well-organised and there have been no hitches at all. Training materials are adequate while the officials have been well-catered for,” she said.

Referees training officer from the Ibadan Referees Society, Mr. Dotun Segun described the organization as “superb”. It is superb in all aspects, and I want to commend the organizers for this. This year has recorded more success in terms of organization, standard of play and what have you. Kudos to Airtel.

Meanwhile, tournament organizer and sponsor, Airtel Nigeria has been urged to continue its programme on women football development. A member of the zonal championship screening Committee, Coach Adewale Olanrewaju gave the call at the weekend in Ibadan.

According to him, “I expected a higher level of play concerning the female teams. They have obviously showed some promises, but they are not yet there like their male counterparts. I'm hoping it will change because they have the potentials. Airtel can help further develop female football just like it is doing already. I want to urge it not to be discouraged despite the challenges.”

The Airtel Rising Stars U-17 Tourney, a unique pan African initiative of Airtel Africa, is designed to provide support for the development of football talents across her African markets. It aims at discovering talented students (male and female) of secondary school age and providing them the opportunity to gain football skills and develop into renowned stars.