Nigerians Divided over Minister's FA Reform Agenda
By Ayodeji Fashikun
The Minister of Sports reform agenda for the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) in which the Pro-League department would become independent of the Glass House and to be managed by club owners has received some support, but with divergent opinions on the outcome and intention behind the reform.
Two-time Sole Administrator of the defunct Kwara Bombers of Ilorin, Jos-based Major Kamaldeen Olatunde (rtd) commended the initiative of the Minister as "good and welcome. To show sincerity, he has to return to the Chief Nathaniel Idowu Committee that fashioned the Pro-League by forcing all the Premier League Clubs to become limited liability companies before the beginning of the next football season."
Former Flying Eagle of the 'Damaan Miracle' fame, and who played for the Winners Cup Champions, BCC Lions of Gboko, Mr. Samuel Elijah said, "Honestly, the minister needs the support to succeed in this task. I think it is a good omen of better things to happen in our football. This will divorce government's stronghold on the game and allow for greater private sector participation."
The former 3SC player advised added: "It is only when these reforms are undertaken with genuine intentions that we would see the gains. Other nation's even in Africa who do not have the resource base, human and material advantages in Nigeria are more organised. This reform should bring better results for our football."
Ikeja-based legal practitioner, Mr. Deji Gbadeyan (mni) believes that if well handled the reforms should transform the nation's soccer scene for the better.
"This is a welcome development that every Nigerian should support. Every segment will be professionally managed. More financial planners, event managers, lawyers with sports bias, sponsorship managers' etc will join the clubs. Thousands of employment spaces will be opened."
The Sports lawyer added: "Had these reforms been in place some years back, the unfortunate event of the Ismaili protest against Enyimba would have been handled by a lawyer on the club's employ and it would not have dragged as far as it did. Nigerians need to give the Minister support on the condition that decree 101 should be replaced immediately before the reform takes place."
Col. Musa Mohammed at hinted at plans to reform the FA on Monday night during the Team Nigeria Fund Raising Dinner in Lagos.
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