My dream is to grow Grassroot Football in Nigeria   – Coach Okonkwo C. Darlington

Meet One of Ikoyi finest Grassroot Football Technical Adviser, it’s no other person than the light skin Head Coach of Dolphin FC Okonkwo Chinaemerem Darlington Daniel as known as “China” who spoke with Obaland Magazine reporter Chidinma Tijani about his journey and more.

I am Okonkwo Chinaemerem Darlington, I was born in 1987 and a graduate of Yaba College of Technology.I  am from Imo state. I started my coaching career in  2014 to develop Grassroot Football, especially in Ikoyi. I am the Head Coach of  Dolphin FC Ikoyi also the Technical manager of Team Ikoyi. I am the Auditor ikoyi/Obalende coaches council.
My players, when you see so much talent around you, you will like to give hope by giving them the platform to express themselves.

I love studying online coaching courses especially under the best coach out there in Europe. Although am a discipline coach who always wants to improve his player’s performance in and outside the field.

My advice to grass-root Coaches is for them to always do something different especially if you want to stand out in Football development. They should start from the Grassroot and there is a whole lot to explore.
When you are building always believe that the future will be bright for my team at Dolphin Football Club, I strongly believe that in the nearest future, we will be able to challenge and come out best in Challenge Cups and Tournament across the nation.

My dream now is to see the Dolphin FC move to the New Era team and get better. I will hope to showcase our brand and style to the Football World someday.
I started playing under Amsterdam Academy and Talents Hunt Academy Ikoyi then later assisted both coaches during my playing with Buffaloes.

The Ikoyi Champions league which started on the 24th of October will come to an end as we now have two finalists, the final will come up this Sunday 15th, with a Novelty match between Ikoyi/Obalende Coaches vs Dolphin FC elders, the final is between Foxes United vs Black  Buffaloes.

Many challenges, especially as a young coach, is funds, but the biggest challenge so far is getting a permanent field, we keep moving from one field to another just to train and yet the players have to adapt.