The historic town of Ilesa is set to burst into life next month as the maiden edition of the Summer Holiday Football Training gets underway – from August 4 to 29 – organised under the auspices of El-Roi International Football Academy.
According to one of the organisers, Coach Siji Lagunju, a former Nigeria international, the programme will be segmented into three categories for boys and girls aged 8 to 11, 12 to 15, and under-17.
Lagunju Targets Grassroots Talent Development
Lagunju, a vastly experienced tactician who served for many years as Deputy National Director at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said the initiative is tailored to meet the aspirations of young footballers eager to pursue the sport professionally. He added that participants would benefit from the expertise of carefully selected coaching professionals.
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“We are putting together this Summer Football Training in order to encourage the development of raw talents from the grassroots in Ilesa and its environs,” said Lagunju, a celebrated dribbling wizard during his playing days with top Nigerian clubs, including ICC Shooting Stars, the now-defunct Leventis United, International Breweries (Ilesa), Bendel Insurance, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, and Stationery Stores.
Why Ilesa’s Summer Holiday Football Training Is Worth It
Lagunju, who holds a CAF Pro Licence, added: “For as little as ₦10,000, children who participate in this programme in Ilesa will be taken through the rudiments of the game – and so much more.”
He further appealed to parents: “Part of my calling is discovering raw talents, and I want to use this opportunity to tell parents in Ilesa to bring their wards for this programme – they won’t regret it.”


