Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has urged the new leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to seek measures to improve financing for the development of the game of soccer in the country.
Obaseki made the call during a courtesy visit by the newly elected officials of the NFF, at the Government House, in Benin City.
He said, “We also want to thank you and the members of the football community for the maturity that was displayed in the conduct of the affairs during the election. As you know, Edo is the home of sports.
“It’s in our DNA as a people, particularly football and that’s what we are known for amongst others in Nigeria. So, we do not joke about sports in Edo. We are also glad that you have come to pay this visit.”
The governor urged the new leadership of the NFF to “ensure that during your tenure, you take our football to the level it should be. The global football economy today is one in which we, as a country, cannot afford not to benefit from. We know that we have challenges in the management of our football in Nigeria.
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“But these are not challenges that we cannot overcome. The key is the resourcing, funding, and financing of football. We believe, expect and hope that, during your tenure, transparency, openness and accommodation is something we will see so that we can attract resources which we know are available in this country into our football,” he noted.
Obaseki added, “As a state, we believe in what the NFF stands for. We are not happy about the incidents of the past. We hope that under your tenure, occurrences like that would not happen. There must be discipline in football.”
Reassuring that the state government will continue to invest in sports development, the governor further noted, “We will continue to invest in Bendel Insurance and Edo Queens. We must continue to invest in activities that engage the youth and not joke with it.”
In his response, the President of the NFF, Alhaji Gusau Ibrahim expressed appreciation to the governor, noting, “Despite the comments from all corners before the election, Edo was very peaceful and everybody has attested to that. That is why we have come to formally thank you and show our appreciation to you and the government for all the support you have been giving football and your efforts in ensuring a successful election.”
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