STAR/NPFL coaching clinic kicks off in Abuja

STAR, the official beer partner of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), kicked off a three-day clinic in
Nigeria's capital city, Abuja in a bid to share Arsenal's philosophy of football with NPFL coaches.

The idea for the clinic was conceptualized and integrated in the partnership between STAR and the League Management
Company (LMC) to support the development of the round leather game in the country especially in the top division in
Nigeria. This is the first of the benefits since the signing of the landmark partnership in 2016.

Declaring the event open, chairman of the League Management
Company and second vice president of the NFF, Shehu Dikko, charged participants at the event to pick all the positives
expected to be shared by the instructors especially the concept of attacking football being played by the London-based club
with a total focus on development and creating their own philosophy.

"I implore everyone here to ensure you use this opportunity to
learn and also share your ideas with the Arsenal coaches
present. It is not about a particular club's way of playing but the
fact remains that we are open to learning new things everyday
and all knowledge we acquire are very important for our chosen
profession," Dikko said.

Also speaking at the event, Portfolio Manager, Premier Lager
brands, Nigerian Breweries, Tokunbo Adodo reckons that the
beverage company thought about what they can add to help
develop and support the growth of the NPFL and Arsenal were
chosen for the club's consistency, development of young
players and their attractive brand of football.
"A lot of people wondered why we selected Arsenal for this first
clinic with our NPFL coaches. We actually looked at their
attractive football philosophy, youth development which has
aided their revenue generation over the years. Another reason is
the following they enjoy in Nigeria," said Adodo.
For Simon McManus who is a UEFA-licenced coach at Arsenal
in charge of technical delivery and implementation of playing
the Arsenal way, he and his technical team are ready to share
and also learn the Nigerian football model while also hoping
the coaches pick and assimilate the Arsenal way of playing soccer.

During the three-day clinic, the NPFL coaches will discuss the
key components of ‘The Arsenal Way’ of coaching, playing and
the concept. They will also be provided with theoretical support
on how to structure a coaching plan for the week and also demonstrate best practice playing style.