The Technical Director, Lagos Junior League (J-League) Tunde Disu, has said that the management of the league was proud to associate with Leicester City FC Midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi’s success in England.
Disu, who made the assertion on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, congratulated Ndidi for winning the Leicester City FC Young Player of the Year Award.
NAN reports that Ndidi, a product of the Lagos State sponsored J-League was recently awarded the Young Player of the Year by the last year’s winners of the English Premier League.
Ndidi started his career playing for the Lagos-based Nath Boys Academy in the Lagos Junior League (J-League) and won numerous accolades before his sojourn in Europe.
The 20-year-old Ndidi and Super Eagles midfielder joined Genk of Belgium after which he was recruited by Leicester City during the January transfer window.
Leicester’s Wilfred Ndidi
Disu said that most of the coaches that watched Ndidi play never doubted his pedigree as a good player, adding that the J-League remained one of the most organised junior leagues in Africa.
“We never doubt his quality seeing him play; most of the coaches he played against can attest to it that he is a wonderful midfielder.
“Some of his mates are also of good quality; he played alongside quality players like Victor Osihimen, Dele Alampasu, Stephen Odey and Taiwo Awoniyi among others.
“I can boldly say that J-League is one of the best organised junior leagues in Africa, at least we are seeing the result within the short time it was formed.
“We also like to thank the Lagos State Government for giving these young lads platform to excel. We are proud to be associated with their successes,’’ he said.
Disu said that the Lagos State Government should take credit for giving the state such a league that could produce stars such as Ndidi.
“Lagos State Government also deserves credit for sponsoring the J-League without any help. They have given all in terms of financing and organising the league.
“The state has been the sole sponsor of the league, but others are ones reaping the rewards.
“We have seen so many talents developed from the J-League and they are doing well. It is a veritable platform for discovering talents from the grassroots.
“The league is producing results because our teenagers are well and this is evident with the way they are performing abroad,’’ he said.
Disu noted that the league was able to produce the desired result because there was strict compliance with the age limit.
“What we do in the league is to make sure that the league is not infiltrated and we also ensure discipline and compliance with age limit, we don’t allow age cheat.
“The coaches are also doing fantastic job training this young lads and moulding them to super stars.
“The team he played for before going to Europe, Nath Boys under the chairmanship of Seyi Ojo, is also doing a fantastic job recruiting the best of the young lads.
“The coaches also deserve praise because it is not easy assembling those young stars and training them, it shows that they know their onions too,’’ he said.