BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
Strong advice has been given to the twenty teams that are preparing for Lagos State League (LSFA State League) to demonstrate a high level of professionalism and conduct themselves in an orderly manner during their matches.
This was disclosed by Vice Chairman of Lagos State Football Association LSFA, Dotun Coker during his opening speech at the LSFA State League seminar/draws held on Friday morning at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Coker in his welcome address explained that clubs that are participating in the league this year should be professional and concentrate more on the players safety, club organisation, player’s management, player’s well-being and understand the laws of the game instead of reacting to the match officiating at the match venue.
He also emphasised the importance of insurance and urged the club owners to insure their players and they should not wait for the accident to occur during or after the match before insuring their players.
Coker said it is unfortunate today that many grassroots clubs are not insured their players because they are not properly educated on the importance of insurance.
He also expressed his displeasure over some clubs owners who don’t take or keep records due to the lack of proper management structure.
He lambasted some club owners who have shortage of staff in the chain of management saying that era of club owner or coach handling multi tasking works in the club is over.
“I am now advocating for proper club recordings and it can only be achieved if club owners take position of secretary seriously.Many clubs nowadays don’t take or keep records because they don’t have secretary or someone that can take records which is very unfortunate.
“In addition, club should engage in player’s insurance and the premium for insurance yearly is affordable for club owners to pay.Secondly club owners should focus more on the game rather than casting aspersion on match officials during their league matches,”he said.
Coker however quickly reminded the football stakeholders to respect the laws of the game and competition rules instead of taking laws into their hands.
Meanwhile 20 teams were divided into two groups.The LSFA State League would commence on 21th, April across various approved centres.