With Mike Adeyemi
Ibrahim Jatto is the head of media and communications, Kwara Football
Academy. In this interview with MIKE ADEYEMI, he dwells on how the
academy has liberated many players from poverty in the last fourteen
years of its existence as well as sustaining missions and vision of
the founding fathers of the academy. Excerpt:
How long have you been into football administration?
As regards the management, I would say a short while. When it’s
football, I would say as long as I began to talk. Because, I can
remember vividly that I watched the 1990 finals between Argentina and
Germany. Then, I can say I started watching football on TV and
followed the game as well. Along side, I have been following the
Nigerian league too. I grew up in Lagos and I’m a die hard fan of
stationary stores. Ditto with Kwara Bombers which later metamorphosed
into Kwara United in 1996.
On radio too, I have been a sports analyst as far back as 1995 with
Bayour Issah and others.
So, my involvements in football is dated back to about 29 years. But,
specifically in the administrative capacity, I would say about four
years ago when I assumed this office.
What would you say led to your appointment as a KFA scribe?
I have antecedence in journalism right from my school days. At a point
I was the national president of campus journalists. I happen to be
the first caretaker president. I once reported for some national
dailies, and I was also an editor for some years. I also attended lots
of seminars. I think all these together put perhaps can be said
informed my appointment as KFA media aid.
How have you used your office to develop the academy?
Well, a lots. I understand the fact that I have to serve as an image
maker, and I have strive hard to ensure that every corner of the world
hear about Kwara Football Academy.
Prior my appointment, the academy wasn’t on the social media
platforms, but today this has been put in place. I don’t think there
is any professional league in Nigeria that has more twitter page like
Kwara Football Academy.
Our events and activities have always been on the news via the social
media. We equally had a partnership with media houses to ensure that
our activities are known to the general public.
I also did digital marketing for the academy, advertising the academy
as all our players in Europe whom are showcased through the platform.
So as a media official, I ensure that the image of the academy is
protected all the time.
Specifically, I ensured that KFA has a representation on the global
web. I think today in Africa, Kwara Football Academy is on the top
four of the best football academy.
Has KFA meet up with the vision of the founding fathers?
First, perhaps we ask what were the mission and vision of the founding
fathers. It’s actually to engage young people, to take them off the
street, particularly those with talents so as to come to an
environment with world class facilities.
At KFA this has been achieved. The academy is just fourteen years old
and we are talking about a long time goal.
In the last fourteen years, KFA has gotten about 15 young players to
represent Nigeria at various cadre.s Starting from Gbenga Arokoyo who
had represented Nigeria at the Super Eagle.
We have Banedith Imenga who has been part of the national team,
Chinedu Ajana recently played against Athletico Madrid. Kehinde Ayinde
also played for Nigeria, Gata Adeshina and Wasiu Jimoh. All of them
were trained and raised at KFA. With this, it shows that we are
actualising the dreams of the college founding fathers.
If not to the Academy, ordinarily those players might not be chanced
to get to that level.
Also, we have ensured that lots of Nigerian played professional
football. We have produced more than 100 players that are playing
professionally in the top league within and outside the country.
All these were the mission and dreams of the founders of KFA. The
Academy largely has taken some of the players out of poverty.
The first head of the academy is now a Barrister. He played with KFA
but couldn’t make it in football. Today he is a lawyer.
By and large, Kwara Football Academy in truth to the intentions of the
founding fathers had actualised the mission for its establishment.
What informed the just concluded KFA football challenge tournaments?
This is the 3rd edition of Kwara Football Academy football challenge
for top secondary schools in Kwara.
We believe that from KFA as a centre of excellence where we breed
champions, our immediate communities should feel our impacts in
development.
On this note, we feel we should invite top secondary schools, engage
them in tournaments and have full focus on that.
Unlike other academy in Nigeria, we at KFA believe that a footballer
must have education. That is, they must go to school. So we want them
to compete in a micro tourney.
Last year, Unilorin Secondary School emerged the winner, with St.
Anthony Secondary School as runners up.
This year, 12 schools took part and Thomas Adewumi International
College, Oko and KFA logged it out at the final.
