President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja, declared that football remains the number one sport in Nigeria and a national asset, therefore his administration will resist any attempt to undermine its development.
The President made the pledge while receiving the 10-year Football Development Masterplan submitted by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare.
Describing football as “our passion and a major tool for unity,” the President affirmed that it is the responsibility of the government to safeguard the sport, which has brought Nigeria many laurels, and ”treat it as a national asset.”
ALSO READ: Buhari to receive Amusan, other Team Nigeria athletes on September 15
“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,’’ he said.
President Buhari, who used the occasion to spell out his expectations from the two-volume report, directed the Federal 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.”
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.
According to him, this will ensure that critical stakeholders are not shut out and the most capable and competent men and women are elected to run the affairs of the Federation.
“This government has demonstrated political will. It will match it up with making the right laws and investments and work with critical stakeholders.
“I thank FIFA for its support and commitment to the development of Nigerian football which has been longstanding. I trust it will partner with Nigeria in its effort to improve the fundamentals of its football development.”
In his remarks, the Sports Minister announced that the Buhari administration has disbursed over N15 billion to NFF through budgetary appropriations and Presidential interventions in the last seven years.
Commending the President for the attention to football development in the country and laying a solid foundation for the growth of the game, the Minister described the 10-year Masterplan, which took the Ibrahim Galadima-led 16-member Committee six months to prepare, as “a world class document.”
The Minister said the prescriptions outlined in the Football Masterplan if followed through with the needed will and determination, would set Nigeria’s football on a very sure footing and position it amongst the best in the world.
Dare pledged that the Ministry will monitor the faithful implementation of the Masterplan to ensure that attention is paid to the business opportunities along the value chain, governance structure, standardisation, and prioritisation of the welfare of footballers, education, and awareness.
“Focus will be on building capacity for sustainable, strategic youth development programmes, efficient club administration, positive stakeholder engagement which would include Referees, Players Union, Coaches Associations, supporters, investors, local and international partnerships and collaborations,” he said.