Dutch coaches laud Promasidor for development of youth football in Nigeria

Dutch coaches from Vitesse Arnhem FC of Holland have commended Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell milk, for its development of youth football in Nigeria.
The coaches gave the commendation at the Main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Sunday at the just concluded eight-day training programme for Cowbell Football Academy, CFA coaches and footballers among others.
Speaking at the event, Sylvester Okonkwo, the proprietor of Soya, a Holland-based NGO committed to youth football development in Nigeria, lauded the CFA footballers’ style of play and youthful age.
He said he did not expect them to win the Eko Junior Quadrangular Invitational Tournament, which was based on round-robin, because the teams they played against were of older age.
“It’s not about winning but about football development in Nigeria,” Okonkwo said, adding that Cowbell Football Academy will not like to field older players because of integrity and honesty.
A coach with the CFA, Ordia Ikhalo, said the CFA player were technically good but age difference between them and the teams they played against was a major issue.
Ikhalo said officiating of the tournament was eight over 10.
Aside the certificate of participation, the 60 coaches, who were trained, will be upgraded next year when the Dutch coaches will return for another round of training.
Beside the coaches, about 400 footballers – 160 from Cowbell Football Academy and 240 from other clubs in Nigeria – participated in the training programme and tournament.
Andrew Enahoro, Head, Legal and Public Relations of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, said the company always gives back to the community in any way it could and would continue to sponsor the development of youths sport in Nigeria.
Enahoro said: “We try to emphasize little things where we can take care of children.
“We have always had the grassroots football initiative, where we identify young talents, get them off the streets and get them to learn about football and sport, not because we have some ulterior motive but because we don’t want to be exposed to all sort of vices or be used for criminal offences and all sorts.”