Three hundred football coaches involved in the GTBank Principals Cup and other grassroots football tournaments in Lagos State are currently undergoing a three-day training programme at the Sports Bar, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

The training programme themed “Raising the Beautiful Game” is being organised by Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), in partnership with the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA). It started Wednesday, October 22, and will end Friday, October 24.

GTBank said in a statement that the training will avail the participating coaches an opportunity to learn the fundamental techniques of effective youth coaching and capacity building in various areas which include Sports Therapy, Time Management, and Psychology, among others.

According to Lola Odedina, General Manager, Communications & External Affairs, GTBank, “300 coaches will be trained by certified FIFA and LSFA coaches and officials. At the end of the training, participants will be awarded a LSFA-Level 1 Coaching Certificate; the first step in a 3-level certification programme, towards becoming a certified football coach.”

Odedina said the programme will invariably bring improvements to the quality of football in Lagos and the GTBank Principals Cup tournament.

News Express reports that GTBank plc is one of the few Nigerian financial institutions that have maintained a defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy since its inception in 1990. The bank actively supports numerous programmes in education, the arts, community development and environmental sustainability across Africa. Its projects in this regard include the sponsorship of the Principals Cup, a grassroots football development initiative amongst public secondary school students in Ogun and Lagos states.

•Photo shows GTB MD/CEO, Segun Agbaje.