We Must Do Our Best To Protect Football

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has declared that it is the responsibility of the current governors of the game in the country to do their very best to protect the game, and ensure its sustainability through necessary developmental projects that will eventually empower everyone in the game’s ecosystem.

On a visit to Osun State at the weekend, the NFF boss stated that the game of football is for all – men and women, young and old – and expressed delight that the Osun State Football Association, led by Mr. Sola Fanawopo, is promoting inclusivity with the upcoming Women’s League, and the Corporate Football League meant to promote the recreational side of the game.

“Football belongs to all: players, coaches, referees, supporters, volunteers and communities.

It is good to know that a community-based club, Igbajo United FC has qualified to play in the Nigeria National League. I must say the community-owned clubs in the NNL are doing quite well.

“Grassroots football must remain the foundation of our football. It is the bedrock of the vision of the present NFF administration. I am excited by what is going on in Osun State in this regard. I have been told that 32 grassroots Football Clubs participated in the SmartCity Osun State Football League, that there are over 400 grassroots clubs affiliated to the Osun State FA, that there are over 400 grassroots coaches here alongside 13 referee societies and 15 independent grassroots leagues. This is commendable and I recommend this model to all other States in the Federation.”

Gusau acknowledged that the government plays a huge role in the Nigeria game, and used the opportunity to appeal to the Osun State Government to help the Football Association by building more stadiums and modern training pitches, and to also support privately-owned and community-owned Football Clubs with monetary grants.

The Gusau administration has been taking practical steps to improve Nigeria Football, with farsighted projects and developmental programmes. The administration has opted to, in focus on infrastructure, build a 3-Star accommodation facility for the National Teams through the FIFA Forward 3.0 project, alongside excellent training facilities.

Only last week, not less than 40 upcoming referees were involved in a 5-day training programme organized by FIFA, with the objective of having exceptional talents among them take over from the present guard and return Nigerian refereeing back to its bold state of reckoning at international level.