Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Football Club of Ilorin has unveiled a new Technical Crew, led by former Warri Wolves gaffer, Sani Ahmed Sarduna, as the club’s new Technical Adviser.
The unveiling ceremony, held at Crystal Hotel Ilorin on Thursday, also saw the introduction of the 30 selected ABS FC Players Training Development Programme (PTDP) players.
Sani Sardauna, a certified coach with about two decades of experience, brings in a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the club. He holds advanced coaching certifications from the National Institute of Sports (NIS) and UEFA, obtained in 2006 and 2008 respectively.
Coach Sani Sardauna signed a one year contract with the task of promoting the club to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
His track record includes stints with grassroots teams such as Sky Moon FC, Lobi Stars Juniors, and Warri Wolves FC, where he led the team to a second-place finish in the 2021/2022 Nigeria National League (NNL) Southern Conference.
He will be assisted by Coach Aremu Solihu, a renowned grassroots coach.
Speaking during the unveiling of the Technical Adviser, Sanni Ahmed Sardauna, and the Assistant Coach, Salihu Aremu, The club Director of Football Chief Chukwuemeka said that they have been offered a season contract, and a mandate to return the team to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The final thirty (30) selected players in the Nationwide Talent Hunt and Development Programme were also unveiled at the ceremony.
While unveiling the PTDP players, Chief Chukwuemeka said that the programme is a credible platform and a deliberately created pathway for talented youth to achieve stardom.
“ABS FC is a platform that is supporting the growth of youth in the round leather game. The players will be under the club’s special programme that is being supported by its international partners.
He added that the team will train for three months ahead of the European tour, as they have been scheduled to visit five countries.
As part of the 30 players for the PTDP programme, we have also selected another 30 players for N-Youth league Cup that will commence in September as an extended platform.
ABS FC Players Training Development Programme (PTDP) players
“I want to commend the Proprietor of the club, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki for creating this platform for the youth. I also commend all the Coordinating team for the PTDP project, and the stakeholders for their support.
The Coordinator of ABS Ilorin FC, Jimoh Bashir charged the players to take advantage of the opportunity, and remain disciplined.
Similarly, the Consultant for the PTDP project, Shogo Shodunnke emphasised that the idea of the project is all about helping talented footballers to get to the stardom, adding that the round leather game remains the shortest pathway to greatness for the youth.
Speaking after his unveiling, Coach Sardauna pledged to justify the consideration, even as he called for the support of all in achieving the set goals.
While also speaking on behalf of the other PTDP players, Henry Christopher described the moment as a memorable one for all the players and their families and thanked the management of the club for the opportunity.
Meanwhile, the ABS Ilorin FC main team which will compete in the upcoming Nigeria National League(NNL) season have also been slated for resumption in a date to be announced very soon by the management.
