New NFF Board Rolls Out Plans To Develop Football

The new executive committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has vowed to work proactively and energetically to ensure the real growth of the game of football in Nigeria in all its aspects and ramifications.

The board in a communique issued after its inaugural meeting on Tuesday, identified the critical areas of football development at the grassroots, faithfulness to a properly-reasoned football calendar, earnest development of women’s football and adequate preparation of the National Teams for podium appearances at international tournaments as its focal points.

In view of the above, the Board admitted there would have to be aggressive marketing and sponsorship drive to generate the necessary funds to plaugh ahead with its plans, projects and programs. While acknowledging the commendable efforts of the immediate past Board in this area, it resolved to work with even greater positive energy to attract the support of Corporate Nigeria to its programs and activities.

In its determination to birth a new order in the general organization of Nigeria Football, the Board resolved that the calendar of each and every of the Leagues operated within Nigeria must be approved by the NFF before commencement, and ruled that the Federation Cup competition will now run alongside the Nigeria Professional Football League, with the seriousness of organization and attention that it deserves.

The Board directed the NFF Legal Unit, through the General Secretary, to thoroughly and expeditiously study the NFF Statutes with a view to advising on how best to reconstitute the Boards of the Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nigeria Nationwide League One, whose boards have been dissolved alongside the immediate past NFF Executive Committee.

The Board directed the NFF Technical Department to, within the next two weeks, come up with comprehensive guidelines to regulate and standardize the running of football academies in the country.

In order to stem the tide of accumulation of debts, the Executive Committee opted to embark on a number of cost-cutting measures, and to ascent on frugal management of resources in the best interest of players and officials, Management and Staff, and Nigeria Football generally. Every perceived area of waste would be cut as a way of fostering the spirit of prudence and financial discipline in the secretariat.

As a way of staving off needless embarrassment of the nation during international matches and tournaments, the Board resolved to, in line with present economic realities, have regular conversations with players and officials of the National Teams on the need to make sacrifices now and again when the resources to meet their expectations are not readily available.

The Executive Committee charged the U17 Women National Team, Flamingos to give it their all during their campaign at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup taking place in India 11th – 30th October 2022, and to have in mind that their performance off-field is as much important as their performance on-field, being ambassadors of the great country, Nigeria.