Sports
Ibrahim Gusau Strive In Transforming Nigerian Football From The Domestic League
By Michael Obasi
The Phrase “changing the narrative” is a very productive and positive word that simply means to change the way one looks at things or life in general.
This was exactly the message of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation Ibrahim Gusau when he was privileged to declare open the Nigeria Premier Football League Retreat for staff in Abuja.
Gusau’s careful choice of words during the retreat has once again underscore his pragmatic and action packed approach to his own leadership style.
Like what many might have observed, the NFF President is a man of few words but often times those words are laced with vast positive multiplier effects in terms of deliverables.
The NFF boss said it is very cardinal to his board’s vision for Nigerians and followers of the domestic league to change the way they see the country’s league in terms of quality , infrastructure, organisation and officiating.
It is therefore no coincidence that the present NFF board under the leadership of Gusau is ensuring there is a peaceful and cordial working relationships among the various league bodies and the Football House.
“For me everything starts with a united house because if we are in crises as a football family we can’t achieve much” , Gusau stated.
It is therefore no surprise the kind of gradual positive changes we are beginning to witness in the various league bodies, starting with the Premier League.
Now the league is back on Television and for the very first time that I can remember in my years of covering Nigerian football , the League body had a staff retreat.
The retreat is a testimony to how things are begining to change in the league and the NFF President used the opportunity to charge the leadership of the league to have more of such retreat and even extend it to the clubs.
Gusau maintained that such retreat must be taken to the various Premier League clubs where clubs security officials and secretaries will attend as part of ways to curb some of the challenges bedeviling the league during matches.
The NFF boss also highlighted why the issues of bad officiating is gradually reducing because his board is not taking less seriously the punishment of erring referees.
He insisted that this is the reason why any referee involved in bad officiating is getting punished almost immediately without delays.
While these are highly commendable is because watchers of Nigeria Football have been calling for such initiatives so that the league can maintain a positive image.
Gusau has also revealed that efforts have started for Nigeria league to witness the usage of the Video Assistant Referee VAR.
Some Nigerian referees will be going for the VAR training with WAFU early next year while discussions are on with both the Egyptian and Moroccan Football Associations to assist with further training as regards our usage of VAR in the Nigeria Premier league.
While the NFF President is trying to change the narrative in the league , he is also doing same with the Country’s Grassroot Football Development especially with the recently concluded FIFA Talent Development scheme Programme held in Abuja.
The scheme which focuses on discovering talents from the grassroots across the states witnessed the participation of all the states Football Associations.
The NFF boss assured that discovering of the next generation of Nigeria Under 17 players will come from Grassroots tournaments put together by this scheme.
It is therefore very important to join hands to support the NFF in achieving her goal of changing the narrative of the Country’s Football.
Written By Michael Obasi. Sports Affairs Analyst/ Journalist
Sports
Speaker House Reps, Abbas, Others Thumbs NFF President Over NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches
…Says It Will Boost Nigeria’s Economy
By Joel Ajayi
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has commended the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for initiating the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches, describing it as a transformational project that will boost Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Speaker Abbas praised the initiative and pledged the National Assembly’s full support.
“This is a noble project, and the National Assembly will give it full support. I congratulate the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, and I thank FIFA for agreeing to fund this project,” he stated while cutting the ceremonial tape.
He also assured the House of Representatives’ support for the visionary leadership of Engineer Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF in other key areas where assistance is required.
Leading the FIFA delegation, Gelson Fernandes (Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer/Regional Director, Africa) reiterated FIFA’s commitment to funding the project, emphasizing that infrastructure development has been a priority since the tenure of President Gianni Infantino began.
Expressing his excitement, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that the hostel and training pitches will serve all Nigerian national teams, leagues, and academies.
“Indeed, my joy knows no bounds. From the day my Executive Committee and I were sworn into office in Benin City on Friday, 30th September 2022, I was determined to push this project forward as a legacy for Nigerian football.
“For sustained success, we must provide a conducive environment, infrastructure, equipment, and support systems that enable players and officials to perform at their best.
“Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management but also reduce costs, allowing us to invest more in grassroots development programs.”
Several dignitaries present at the event applauded Gusau’s leadership, determination, and commitment to football development in Nigeria.
The event was well attended by local and international stakeholders, including sports enthusiasts, who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and Training Pitches.
In addition to the hostel, the project includes:Two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass). Reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch.
Also, Spectators’ sitting terraces with 1,838 seats.Two dressing rooms for players, each accommodating 27 players.Two dressing rooms for officials.
The construction is expected to last 24 months and is fully funded by FIFA under its FIFA Forward 3.0 programme.
-
Featured6 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured5 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured6 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured5 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured3 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports2 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News3 months agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
-
Featured5 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
