By Victor Kanayo
The Nigerian Government is currently proposing a major shake-up in the development of football in the entire country.
This is as President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, declared that football remained the number one sport in the nation.
President Buhari while receiving a 10-year Football Development Masterplan submitted by the Nigerian Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, also said football as a national asset will resist any attempt to undermine its development.
He said, “Football as our passion and a major tool for unity, it is the responsibility of government to safeguard the sport, which has brought Nigeria many laurels, and treat it as a national asset.
”Indeed, just as I expect and demand a higher standard of patriotism, responsibility and commitment from those charged with the administration of our football, I also urge all stakeholders to work together constructively and patriotically.
”We have seen attempts to disrespect and undermine the institutions supervising our sports. We have seen attempts to subjugate national interest for narrow interest or disrespect the laws of Nigeria. Nigeria will not take lightly any attempt to inflict injury on its football fortunes.’’
President Buhari, who used the occasion to spell out his expectations from the two-volume report, directed the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to commence its implementation in phases, within the fine lines of relevant sections of the Nigerian laws on sports development and the statutes of the world soccer governing body, FIFA.
”This government is interested in developing a football culture that will accommodate global best practices that will also help the nation to lay a solid foundation for her domestic football, put in place professionally and efficiently run leagues, entrench a consistent and stable football calendar and create a value chain which will boost the sports ecosystem.
”Achieving this will guarantee desired progress in continental and international competitions.
”I know that a lot of work went into putting this 10-Year Masterplan together. I received regular briefings on the work being done and I am happy that our goal has been achieved. I am happy that the Masterplan enjoyed the inputs of a wide range of stakeholders in football.
”I am equally happy that the Nigeria Football 10-Year Masterplan (2022-2032) identified Fifteen (15) Key Areas of challenge and provided practical recommendations to address these fundamental problems that have bedeviled football development in the country.
”The implementation of the short term and medium term plans should commence.
”I believe this will signal a positive turning point for our football and a major step forward in our bid to create a conducive environment for its sustainability, viability and profitability.
”The Nigeria Football Federation, the body charged with the development of our football is directed to own and commence the implementation of this master plan under the supervision of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.”
Reviewing the state of the round leather game in the country, President Buhari expressed concern that in the past years, football development has gradually stunted due to the neglect of the core orientation of football administration.
He described the governance structure around Nigeria’s domestic league as weak, adding that standards are conveniently compromised.
On the forthcoming NFF executive election, President Buhari reiterated his earlier communication to the body on the need for a more equitable and democratic representation in the Congress of the NFF.
