Revive grassroots football to restore Kaduna’s glory, says Sani

Shehu Sani, the former Kaduna Central Senator has called for urgent revival of grassroots football development in Kaduna State to restore its lost glory as a national sporting powerhouse.

Sani made the call on Wednesday while receiving an assembly of grassroots football coaches who paid him a courtesy visit in Kaduna.

He said the meeting was aimed at engaging the coaches and exploring ways to complement the efforts of Uba Sani in repositioning sports in the state.

According to him, Kaduna was a dominant force in Nigerian football during the 1980s and 1990s, producing some of the finest players who excelled both locally and internationally.

He, however, lamented that many of the local teams that once nurtured top talents have become inactive, leading to a steady decline in the state’s football fortunes.

“We are here to interact with grassroots coaches and find ways of reviving those glorious days of football in Kaduna,” he said.

The former Kaduna Central senator commended the state government for renewed investment in sports, noting ongoing efforts to rebuild infrastructure and support local teams.

He specifically cited the reconstruction of a major stadium and the rise of a state-sponsored football team making waves across the country as signs of progress.

Sani stressed that meaningful development in sports cannot be achieved without actively involving grassroots coaches who play a critical role in talent discovery and nurturing.

He described football as more than a game, saying it serves as a source of national pride, a business venture, and a platform for youth development.

The former lawmaker also expressed concern over the low representation of players from Northern Nigeria in the national team, calling for deliberate efforts to harness talents from the region.

He urged stakeholders to invest in young players and create pathways for them to compete internationally and contribute to national development.

On continental football, Sani criticised the decision of the Confederation of African Football to overturn Senegal’s victory in favour of Morocco, describing it as unfair and a dangerous precedent.

He warned that such decisions could discourage fair play and undermine confidence in football administration across Africa.