Ex-Kwara Bombers’ coach warns against imposition of players on coaches

The former coach of the long-time Kwara Bombers, Issa Salman Aremu, has warned of the dangers associated with imposition of players on football coaches in the country.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Sports Excellence Awards presentation by the Ahmed Ayinla Foundation to selected veteran athletes in the state, the former coach said that such a directive often kills soccer development among other sports.

He said the worst and unpatriotic move any supporters’ club or influential person can do to soccer game is to direct a coach to field a particular player in a competitive match.

He said that no coach who knows his onions will take to such a directive or order.

Aremu recalled that he faced the same challenge as the coach of Kwara Bombers when he, in 1991/’92, wanted to try former Super Eagles star, James Obiorah, against the wishes of the supporters’ club.

He said the supporters’ club mistook Obiorah’s stature for incapability, asking him (coach Aremu) not field him (Obiorah).

“I stood my ground and insisted he must play despite threats and warnings, but I used him and after the match, the club and the entire management came to hug me for using James Obiorah”, he stated.

The Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman of AAF, Dr Jimoh Ahmed Ayinla, explained that the foundation was moved to remember and appreciate forgotten sports enthusiasts, urging the government to engage the retired sportsmen who have once flown the nation’s flag, “the essence is to make our old stars happy and progress”, he said.

Other award recipients included veteran sports broadcaster and analyst, Hameed Adio, who received the award of excellence from the Ahmed Ayinla Foundation (AAF).

The awardees, who included: Bayour Issa, Kwara United Supporters’ club, Alhaji Abdulkadir Tosho Alanamu, Yakubu Eku dayo Ayodele, Alhaji Baba Ali, Rasheed Badmus Baye and (posthumously) late Adebayo Yusuf Salami, were also given N50,000 cash with the certificate.