Faith Akindele
Switzerland-based Nigerian football coach, Adedeji Adeyemi Anthony, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ordering a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football following a series of setbacks suffered by the country across various competitions.
Speaking on the Sports Trax Weekend Edition, a sports programme on FLO 94.9 FM, Umuahia, Abia State, Coach Anthony described President Tinubu as a “Sports Loving Father”, saying the President’s intervention came at a critical time when Nigerian football is facing intense scrutiny and unprecedented challenges.
According to the coach, several key stakeholders have been excluded from the administration of Nigerian football, particularly in the election process for the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), as a result of what he described as contentious provisions in the NFF Statutes.
He expressed optimism that the planned reform would lead to the adoption of more inclusive and representative statutes that would provide broader opportunities for stakeholders to participate in the administration of the country’s football.
The development followed the resignation of NFF President, Alhaji Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the NFF Executive Committee on Thursday. President Tinubu subsequently directed the National Sports Commission (NSC) to work with FIFA and CAF on a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football.
The proposed reform is expected to address key areas including football governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability.
“I think we appreciate him because for more than two decades now, we have had these statutes from the NFF that are not favourable for other stakeholders to be involved when it comes to the NFF presidential election,” Coach Anthony said.
“I thank him so much that he listened to the cry of the masses and also took the wonderful step he has taken by making sure that they can do the reform,” he added.
Coach Anthony also commended the leadership of the National Sports Commission, particularly its Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Bukola Olapade, for maintaining their position that reforms to the NFF electoral rules were necessary.
“We should not put these people behind closed doors. The NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and DG Bukola Olapade, I commend them and I want to say thank you for your efforts and for standing your ground,” he said.
“Because they both said it from the outset when they came that they wanted to see changes in the NFF Statutes, and now we can see the handwriting on the wall,” he added.
