Sports

Westerhof Focused On Our Physicality To Achieve Success… Ex-International

Published

4 years ago

May 31, 2021

Former International Adebayo Gbadebo has revealed that Coach Clemence Westerhof Focused on the physicality of the Nigerian players to achieve success while handling the Super Eagles.

The former Stationery Stores of Lagos player revealed this at the monthly Ex- University of Ibadan Footballers Association interactive session said there were not much tactical input.

Quoting his words, the NUGA gold medalist from the University of Ibadan, said “I was invited to join the team immediately after the NUGA in University of Port Harcourt in 1990. When we got to the camp then, we mixed up with the other home based players like Friday Ekpo, Late Thompson Oliha among others.

“I think as a coach now, I now know what he did most then. He focused most on players who were ready; he worked much on their physical to prepare the team. I think he did a very good job then, but as a foreign coach, he should have done better. He focused on our physical, because he knew what we were made off, and our style of play. He put it on our zeal and passion to play the game. But, there was nothing much on tactical, only pushing, running and getting ready for games ” he said.

Coach Adebayo Gbadebo an ex UIte flying the Nigerian flag as Manager and Head Coach of Suphanburi Football Club in the Thailand Premier League.

Coach Gbadebo, who had an excellent playing career in Nigeria and Asia, started his football career as a centre back at the then wave-making Stationary Stores FC of Lagos between 1990 and 1993 where he played in the semi final of the African Champions Cup in 1993. He was also invited to the Nigeria National U-20 and U-23 teams while at Stores. He had a brief stint at Eagle Cement FC of Port Harcourt and moved abroad afterward, when he signed for Al-Bourj FC of Lebanon. In 1998, he moved to Mohun Bagan Athletic Club – renowned as one of the oldest football clubs in India and Asia having been founded in 1889. Coach Gbadebo, who was at the heart of the defence, led the team to an all time high 2nd position in the Indian Soccer League and champion of the Indian Cup shield.

The University of Ibadan Sociology graduate and 1991 Sheffield (UK) World University Games veteran moved to B.E.C. Tero Sasana F.C. of Thailand in 2000 where he led B.E.C to win the Thai Premier League and the quarter final of the Asia Champions League in the 2000-2001 season. In 2004, he moved to the Indonesian club PSPS Pekanbaru.

After a successful playing career that took him from Nigeria to Lebanon, India, Indonesia and Thailand, he eventually retired into coaching and got his Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Coaching “C” Licence in 2006 and the “B” Licence 2 years later. He completed his Futuro 3 FIFA/AFF MA Administration and Management Course in Bangkok, Thailand in 2010 and obtained his AFC Coaching “A” Licence in 2014 and acquired the AFC Pro Diploma Licence in 2019.

Interestingly, the gentle giant and former defence stalwart, who attended Ansar Ud Deen Primary School Odunfa, Ebute Metta Lagos State and Ansar Ud Deen Grammar School, Randle Avenue, Surulere, Lagos State, is not just an ‘A list’ manager, he is also a pastor! He was ordained as Assistant Pastor of The Redeemed Christian Church of God in 2006 and later ordained as a full pastor in 2009. He is the National Coordinator of the church in Thailand.

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Sports

NSC Applauds Enugu State Govt,, as LOC for 23rd NSF is Inaugurated

Published

4 hours ago

June 19, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Preparations for the highly anticipated 23rd National Sports Festival, tagged “Coal City Games Enugu 2026” have taken a significant leap forward as the Enugu State Government officially inaugurated the Festival’s Local Organizing Committee (LOC) on Wednesday in Enugu.

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, commended the Enugu State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah for his swift action and commitment to hosting a successful festival.

“With the inauguration of this high-powered Local Organizing Committee, we are confident that the Coal City Games Enugu 2026 will raise the bar in excellence, inclusion, and legacy. The caliber of individuals on this committee reflects the seriousness with which Enugu is approaching this national assignment. The National Sports Commission is fully aligned and will provide all necessary support to ensure a seamless festival that inspires hope, talent discovery, and national unity,” Hon. Olopade stated.

The newly inaugurated LOC, chaired by the Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu Jr, is composed of seasoned professionals with vast experience in sports administration, event management, and youth development. Their mandate is to deliver a world-class festival that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in tapping into a growing sports economy as a vehicle for national growth and unity.

The members of the committee include:
• Bamiduro Olumide – Sports management expert and former national badminton champion (Secretary General)
• Mary Onyali – Olympian and former international sprint queen
• Aku Akazu – Sports lawyer and 2nd Vice president AFN
• Victor Okorie – Elite athlete and member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria
• Blessing Chisalam Ekwe – COO of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, FIFA-licensed agent
• Davidson Owumi – COO of the Nigeria Professional Football League, former GM, Enugu Rangers
• Tony Ugwu – Chairman, Enugu State Football Association
• Henry Chinedu Okorie – Nigeria Olympic Committee Executive Member, Chair of the Athletics Athletes Commission
• Jonathan Nnaji – President, Nigeria Modern Pentathlon Federation; VP, Africa Modern Pentathlon Confederation
• Boniface Onovo – Director of Organizing, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports
• Ephraim Ochonma – Director of Coaching, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports
• Obiora Obasi – Technical Assistant to the Honourable Commissioner

Furthermore, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah outlined the State’s bold and transformative plan to ensure the success and lasting impact of the festival.

The plan includes the construction of a new Games Village to accommodate athletes and officials, remodeling of the existing stadiums into state-of-the-art facilities capable of hosting international competitions, as well as the development of additional sporting facilities across the state that meet global standards and support year-round sports development.

Governor Mbah also stated the plan to promote local content through prioritizing local contractors, vendors, and creatives before and during the festival to stimulate the local economy and celebrate Enugu’s cultural heritage.

The National Sports Festival, often referred to as Nigeria’s “Olympics,” is the country’s premier sporting event. The 23rd edition is expected to attract thousands of athletes from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT, with Enugu poised to deliver a vibrant and unforgettable experience.

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