By Victor Kanayo
Foremost football administrator and Chairman, Imo State Football Association, Amanze Uchegbulam has rejected his appointment by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as a member of the newly constituted Standing and Ad-Hoc Committees.
Rejection Galore
Also, another top sports stakeholder in Nigeria, Bukola Olapade, named into the marketing committee of NFF has rejected the appointed.
He said his several engagements in parts of the country and beyond led to his decision to pull out.
On his part, Uchegbulam, who was listed as a member of the facilities committee has been serving in several committee’s in NFF and CAF since 1994.
According to him, the younger ones should be given the opportunity to serve while recommending the current Vice Chairman of Imo FA to serve in the Facilities Committee.
His words: “Dear President Ibrahim Gusau, my attention has been drawn to the circulation on social media of the newly formed Ad-hoc committees of NFF wherein, I saw my name in Facilities committee.
“While I sincerely thank you for considering me worthy to serve, I regretfully REJECT the appointment. The reason is simple, I have been serving in several committee’s both NFF and CAF since 1994 , and I think I should give opportunity to the younger ones, one of which I shall recommend to take my slot if it suits you.
“I am referring to Barr. Ifeanyi Dike, the current Vice Chairman of Imo FA. I find him capable and competent for the assignment.”
There are also insinuation of more appointees who rejected their appointments, but choose to lie low.
NFF Of Many Crisis
In the past and present, NFF has been engulfed in maladmnistration and mismanagement of its resources harnessed through various sponsorship deals, FIFA and the federal government, major reason most stakeholders have decided to stay far.
Also, non-payment of its players’ allowances and coaches’ salaries has plagued the Federation in crisis of confidence in the eyes of the public with issues generated from the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup being in the front burner.
Both the players and coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons had raised alarm over their non-payments, as members of the team threatened to boycott the first match of the tournament.
After the team crashed out in the round of 16 against England few days ago, well-meaning individuals have continued to mount pressure on NFF hierarchy to release their monies.
