Rulers Football Club Expands Grassroots Development Across Abuja
Head Coach of Rulers Football Club of Abuja, Roland Aigbovbiosa, has announced that the club is significantly expanding its scope in grassroots football development by operating multiple teams throughout the Federal Capital Territory. This strategic move aims to foster young talent from an early age.
Multiple Training Locations for Youth Development
While the senior team of Rulers FC is based in Funtaj, Kuje, the junior teams are actively training at two key locations: Holy Family in Kuje and Basic Estate in Lokogoma. Coach Aigbovbiosa explained to The Guardian that the club's primary focus is on nurturing and developing fundamental skills in young players, with the goal of exposing them to opportunities with other clubs both within Nigeria and internationally.
"We are open to anybody who has an interest in developing young footballers in Abuja," he stated. "At Rulers Football Club, our priority is to nurture and provide young players with a platform to excel. Our training sessions are specifically structured to accommodate young players across these centers."
Structured Training Schedules and Inclusive Approach
The training sessions are held on a regular schedule to ensure consistency and development. At Basic Estate, Lokogoma, training takes place every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday at 7:45 a.m. Similarly, at Holy Family, Kuje, sessions are conducted on Saturdays at 7:45 a.m. and Sundays at 3:30 p.m.
Coach Aigbovbiosa highlighted that this program is open to both male and female players, reflecting the club's inclusive approach to youth development. "This initiative demonstrates our commitment to creating equal opportunities for all aspiring footballers," he added.
Leadership and Recent Achievements
The team has appointed captains to lead the junior sides: Darius Ewere captains the Lokogoma team, while Jason Ezinkwo leads the Kuje team. Recently, Rulers Football Club was officially launched in Abuja at a ceremony that attracted notable sports administrators, including former Super Eagles captain, Austin Eguavoen.
"Rulers Football Club is committed to exposing young players to high-level training drills from an early age," Aigbovbiosa emphasized. This approach is already yielding positive results, as evidenced by the team's impressive performances in recent matches. They secured a 3-1 victory over Vallyd Ella FC, a 3-2 win against Divine Touch senior team, and a 3-0 defeat of Divine Touch junior team.
Future Plans and Community Support
Looking ahead, the coach revealed plans to engage in more competitive fixtures, including potential matches against established sides such as Pepsi Football Academy. "We aim to challenge our players and help them grow through tougher competitions," he said.
Aigbovbiosa also urged parents and guardians to register their children at any of the club's training locations to take advantage of this development initiative. He expressed gratitude for the support received from the community, specifically thanking the Chief Executive Officer of I-XTRA for donating sets of jerseys to the club and Dr. Blessing Ayemhere for his humanitarian contributions to Rulers Football Club.
This expansion underscores Rulers FC's dedication to building a strong foundation for football in Abuja, focusing on youth empowerment and skill development.
