NFF President Tasks State Government On Sports Development

Posted by African Examiner News Friday, May 16th, 2014

IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu

President of Nigeria Football Federation NFF, Mallam Aminu Maigari, has challenged state governments in Nigeria to start investing in sports development in their respective states.

President of Nigeria Football Federation NFF, Mallam Aminu Maigari

The NFF boss, noted that as a unifying instrument, there is need for state governments to always accord serious attention to the sector.

Speaking Thursday in Enugu during the 2013 Annual General Assembly AGA of the Enugu state football Association (FA) held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium Enugu, maigari, who spoke through Dr. Chris omerua, a fellow of the National institute of sports, regretted that most state governors in Nigeria have over the years, continue to relegate sports to the background.

Maigari, had also called on Enugu state government which recently took over the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium from the federal government, to make good use of the facility, saying “Enugu state government should try to make good use of the edifice, including attracting international tournaments to the stadium”.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the Assembly, signed by chairman of Udenu local government football council, and drafting committee, Ichie Emma Ezugorie, the state FA, had called on the Nigeria Professional Football League Managers (LMC) to as a matter of urgency pay Rangers International FC of Enugu its the TV right money accruing to Club.

It further noted that Rangers have the record of the highest number of live DSTV match coverage in the NPFL League.

The Hon Chidi Ofo Okenwa, led state Football Association, congratulated the Enugu State Government on the recent smooth take over of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium from the Federal Government.

“The Assembly also congratulated the Alhaji Aminu Maigari led Nigeria Football

Federation for its successes in recent times especially in the AFCON, the FIFIA U-17 world cup “UAE 2013” and the impressive performance of the Female U-20 National team among others.”

Continuing, “the Assembly thanked the Federal Government and all well meaning

Nigerians for their support to our National teams but prays the Government and the Private sector to do more in taking Nigeria Football to greater heights.”

“The Assembly prays the Enugu State Government and other lovers of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu to see the Club not just as a Football Club but a high profile BRAND worthy of good investment”.

According to the state FA, “we appeal to Enugu State Government to kindly extend its touch of massive infrastructural development to sports facilities especially in the rural areas while appreciating the World class facilities at Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Rangers stadium and the UNEC stadium.

“The Assembly, which was attended by Enugu state commissioner for sports, Mr. Chijioke Agu and other stakeholders in the sector, unanimously passed a vote of explicit confidence on the Hon. Chidi Ofo Okenwa led Executive Committee of Enugu State Football Association as well as the secretariat, headed by Mr. Francis Ugwu”.