NAN-S-21
Goal
By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, Aug. 2, 2017 (NAN) Dr Mohammed Sanusi, the General Secretary, Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) has called on aspiring young sportsmen and women to shun social vices.
He also advised that the young ones should endeavour to combine their craft with education in order to make it to the top.
Sanusi’s admonition is contained in a statement by NFF’s spokesperson, Ademola Olajire in Lagos on Wednesday.
Sanusi was quoted while addressing players and Coach of Lagos-based Ambassadors Football Academy who paid him a courtesy visit at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja.
“The seasoned sports administrator affirmed that keeping clear of vices such as smoking, drinking and gangsterism ultimately helps in moulding a successful career in sport.
“Education will definitely impact on the tenor of a career in sport and keeps the athlete going in a good way after retirement, either as a result of injury, loss of form or age.
“Anytime I have the opportunity, I always counsel young athletes against indulgence in social vices like drinking, smoking, womanizing and other unsavoury vices.
“These vices kill a sporting career quickly, and no matter how talented, such a person is doomed,’’ Sanusi said in the statement.
He further said, “Education is also very important. Don’t ever think of abandoning your educational pursuit because you are building a career in sport.
“It always backfires. If as a result of injury, loss of form or age, you are unable to continue as an athlete, it is education that will sustain you and carry you to old age.
“The NFF scribe traced the history of sport, saying that while several decades ago, sport was regarded only as recreation; things have turned one-hundred-and-eighty degrees.
“Sport is now a multi –billion dollar industry in which hundreds of millions of people are lucratively engaged.
“Sport now enhances the image of nations; it is one of the biggest employers of labour worldwide and; is a veritable means of fostering unity and togetherness.’’
“You have a wonderful opportunity to key into this fast –expanding and magnificent industry and I charge you to be diligent, dedicated and disciplined,’’ Sanusi said.
Earlier, Coach Segun Omoniyi had explained that the academy was on a tour of the Federal Capital Territory.
“We took the opportunity to afford the young footballers a visit to the Glass House to meet the NFF’s chief operating officer,’’ the statement said. (NAN)
KOJE/DS/MTM
Edited by Dauda Shehu/Tukur Muntari.
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