Rising Stars players would be encouraged to kill it in class - TM

Akanni Seyi



Rising Stars Team Manager Sulaimon Folarin has harped the importance of education in the life of footballers. He stated that Akure Gunners Feeders would support any player seeking further education.



There are countless professional footballers that have suffered career-ending injuries one time or the other. This can be dangerous with amount of professional players without any secondary career.



Sulaimon, a NIS licenced football gaffer cum administrator and former assistant coach of Sunshine Stars, spoke extensively to ever spiffy whatsApp sports platform, Family United By Football, FUBF.





"We told our boys that anyone interested in going to school should signify. We've agreed to release and support any player who come forth with admission letter. The head coach of the team, Akin Olowookere is a masters holder who loves education very well.





"We are even planning going to Adeyemi College of Education where we can enroll any of our boys that is interested in going to school, so that they can be playing and be schooling. He told FUBF.




Lama as he's fondly called by his admirers right from his playing days starred for Gray's International FC in 2005 before joining Rising Stars. He was part of the Rising Stars squad that played in the elite division of Nigeria Premier League.




"We also have connections with Ondo State University Akungba, our head coach has talked to their sport director, who has in turn gave us his words that anyone that has his results should come for assistance.



"Our players would have no problem furthering their educations, we do encourage them to further. One of our players went for an exam for the whole month. He returned and we paid him full salary without removing kobo from his money. We did this to encourage others.




"We know the importance of education in player's life. Football and education cannot be separated, me as a person will volunteer to pay part of the school fees for any prospective students amongst our lads.




"We have let them realised that life after football is very important." The former Ede Utd and Gray's International FC head coach who holds a diploma in Physical and Health Education from Obafemi Awolowo University lle-lfe concluded.