Director General/Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria-Brazil Sports Academy, Paul Bankole has offered tips on how to reposition the Ogun State Government's owned Gateway United Football Club currently in the second tier Nigeria National League NNL
Bankole,a Research Scholar with the South Africa Sports Science Institute, Cape Town, speaking recently at a forum Organized by Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) at its Secretariat in Abeokuta, stressed the need for the club to set up an academy to discover and groom quality players for the team
The Director of Sports of the Redeem Christian Church of God said the club must invest in provision of modern training equipments to train its players, particularly the practicing pitch which must be surrounded by trees to making it conducive for players to train, describing the present training pitch being used at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Kuto, Abeokuta as unacceptable for a truly professional side
He also made strong case for hiring of goal keeper trainer to focus on goal keepers for the team, saying football has gone scientific
Bankole who is a member of the Association of Sports Performing Centers ASPC, advocated for a building a club house for the team that would be well furnished for players and officials to create a conducive environment for the team
He urged State Government and management of the club to invest heavily in the team to excel, saying the club would remain in the same position, if nothing is done to consider all recommendations raised to the team forward
Gateway United have been struggling in the Nigeria's second tier league for the past decade and currently in the nineth position in the Group B2 of Southern Conference of the league, with 20 points from 15 matches, winning six at home and losing most of the away matches except one against Julius Atete FC
The team recorded its worst outing at home against the bottom placed Holy Arrows, playing a goaless after a disappointing loss to the same side on the road
Gateway also failed to hold on to the last minute on the road last week against Abia Comets, losing by a lone goal
The Hakeem Busari tutored side will this Sunday at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta,take on visiting second placed Bayelsa United who have 27points behind leaders, Remo Stars of Ikenne-Remo with 30 points
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