Sports

Keshi was our Second Gardner and Rohr should follow his Vestiges

Published

6 years ago

May 28, 2020

By Ola Aro

The Scriptures tell us that the Son of God (1st Adam) began His Sufferings in a Garden and brought them to a close in a Garden. That is an absolutely amazing display of God’s wisdom.
After all, Jesus is the second “Adam” undoing what Adam did and doing what Adam failed to do (Rom. 5:12-21; 1 Cor. 15:47-49).

For clarity, Keshi was our Jesus Christ, who fought for the Emancipation of home grown players. This was not done by those who tutored the Super Eagles team (in the past) as most of them were scared of taking risks. Thus, the issue of inferiority complex became a malaise our home based players had to live with, before Keshi’s installation as coach.

To me, Late Keshi, was the second Heavenly Gardener, who gave himself to the cultivation of the souls of his people through his Atoning Sacrifice and Continual intercession. Yet, he was crucified and embarrassed, despite the unprecedented achievements during his reigns against all evil snares, specifically from the people that appointed him, sorry I digress a little bit.

Why Rohr should follow Keshi’s footprints?
For NFF to renew the contract of Rohr despite his failings, it means he is the Heavenly Bridegroom, entering into His sufferings in a Garden (Nigeria) for the redemption of his brides (home based players) and the Church (Our league).

Rohr should stop the discrimination because some of the players he’s relying on were product(s) of Late Keshi’s pedagogy & other indigenous coaches – in terms of coaching.
Oghenekaro Etebo Ahmed Musa, Shehu Abdullahi, Simon MosesWilfred NdidiKelechi Iheanacho, Osimhen & Samuel Balogun, and Troost et AlWe are being unfair to Nigerian coaches, NFF and football stakeholders at large.
Was our league the best in Africa when Keshi made huge sacrifices for discovering home-based players and even took the biggest risk(s) by parading virgins at the Nations Cup?

If we continue to ridicule our home based players, it shows we are not sure of Rohr’s Technical Savvy.

How many home based players has he given level playing field with those Half baked foreign players? Life is a matter choice and chance. I wanted NFF to sack him (Rohr) after his very irresponsible and reckless approach against Argentina at World Cup in Russia. But then, it was NFF’s choice to gift him another chance. Should we now crucify NFF for that?

The only achievement Rohr has is finishing 3rd at the Nations cup, with all his Sophisticated foreign players not forgetting his insipid pattern of play.

This was the record, Keshi had as an auxiliary coach to late Amodu at Mali 2002. But our previous outing at the Nations Cup, South Africa 2013, Keshi won it with 13 to 14 debutants and some are saying Rohr should not gift home based opportunity to excel? If I were Rohr, I would have studied the method of success in Super Eagles during Keshi’s reign…

Rohr, a coach that keeps failing everytime in his failures to make decisive and accurate substitutions, specifically at both World Cup and Nations Cup; is opening his mouth to say, our local players are not good enough. That’s bunkum!

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Sports

Badminton Federation of Nigeria Targets Grassroots Growth, Coaches’ Capacity Building

Published

12 hours ago

May 14, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, says the federation has launched an ambitious reform programme anchored on structured planning, grassroots development, and long-term athlete progression across all levels of the sport.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, after two-day retreat at ANOCA building where board members, technical experts, and stakeholders gathered under the theme: Repositioning Badminton for Sustainable Growth’ gathered to chart a way forward for the Game.

Orbih said the sessions were designed to align stakeholders on a unified four-year strategic roadmap focused on improving governance, strengthening performance systems, and expanding participation nationwide.

He noted that key priorities discussed include technical development, coaching education, athlete welfare, and a more coordinated grassroots structure through school-based programmes.

According to him, the federation has approved the creation of 11 committees to drive implementation of its reforms, with emphasis on accountability, coordination, and measurable performance outcomes.

“We wanted a collective approach where decisions are jointly owned and implemented, with clear and measurable results.

‘’A major pillar of the plan is grassroots badminton development, particularly in schools.’’

He explained that while outreach programmes have existed, the federation is now shifting toward a more structured and data-driven approach with wider national coverage.

Orbih disclosed that the federation currently reaches an average of 25 to 30 schools per zonal outreach programme, but plans are underway to expand coverage across more states and increase consistency of engagement.

He also highlighted gaps in coaching capacity, noting that the number of certified coaches in Nigeria remains relatively low compared to other countries. The federation, he said, will intensify coaching education and certification programmes to close the gap and improve technical standards.

“We have over 100 coaches in Nigeria, but many are not actively engaged in continuous training. We want to strengthen that system and raise the standard,” he added.

The BFN president further confirmed the introduction of structured age-grade development pathways, covering under-12, under-15, under-19, and other youth categories to ensure seamless progression from grassroots to elite level.

President added that, federation plans to organise more age-group tournaments to sustain player development and improve competitive exposure.

Speaking also, the Technical Director of the federation, Tunde Kashim, also emphasised that the technical department remains central to the reform agenda, describing it as the “engine room” of badminton development in the country.

He said the department is reviewing player databases, coaching structures, and competition pathways to ensure a stronger performance system.

Kashim added that efforts will be made to upgrade coaching levels across the country, including progression through certification tiers, while also addressing the declining number of active coaches in the system.

He further revealed plans to expand youth competitions across multiple age categories, including under-12, under-15, under-16, and under-19 levels, aimed at strengthening the talent pipeline from schools to elite competition.

According to him, the federation is also working with state stakeholders to improve facilities and increase participation, while preparing for upcoming national and continental engagements.

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