Recently, I
saw a Sports newspaper headline that read: “FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CHALLENGE NFF:
Source Your Own Fund to Avoid Interference.” – That headline may sound
sarcastic, but I sincerely believe that’s the way to go.
It is no use
running in vicious circle. The world football governing body, FIFA, has
threatened to ban Nigeria in several occasions as it did recently when the
Federal Government moved to sack Aminu Maigari, President of Nigeria Football
Federation (NFF).
FIFA is
strongly against a country’s government interference on football matters. The
point is, it’s not possible for government of Nigeria not to interfere in the
sport it funds. He who pays the piper dictates the tune.
It’s
unfortunate really that NFF is structured this way. If government of the day
isn’t interested in football and decides to cut down budget, then NFF will
begin to struggle and may not be able to effectively carry out most of its
programs.
It’s the
same when it comes to the running of football clubs in Nigeria. Most of the
professional clubs are owned and funded by their state government. Therefore,
if the governor in authority loves football, then the state club will begin to
do well in the league as it enjoys better funding - Vice versa.
For
instance, during Orji-Uzor Kalu’s regime as governor of Abia state between 1999
–2005, Eynimba , the state owned football club, won many silver wares – NPL, FA,
CAF Champions League trophies several
times. But since he left office the club has struggled to meet the status
quante.
Government
funding is indeed the reason there’s so much inconsistency in the growth and
development of football in Nigeria. We’ve seen our football administrators take
one step forward and several steps backward. Football is largely politicized in
this country.
It’s simple
to understand. No football Association or professional club can maintain a
consistent growth with government funding. As long as government changes hands,
so the funding will continue to fluctuate.
We must
understand this; NFF isn’t ministry of sports and shouldn’t be structured to
operate like a not-for-profit organization. The fact is NFF need to be truly independent! And for that to happen, it must be able to
generate its own revenue to fund its programs.
We must
understand this. NFF isn’t ministry of sports and shouldn’t be structured to
operate like a not-for-profit organization. For NFF to be truly independent,
then it must be able to fund itself and its programs.
Football is
big business! The sport has been successfully commercialized around the world.
Football managers in Nigeria can take a cue from FIFA and other big leagues
around the world; especially in Europe.
The life
blood of football runs on Sponsorship and endorsements, media broadcast rights;
transfer market operations. Then ticketing, merchandizing and recently, some
clubs are moving away from private ownership into the public stock market.
Nigeria has
a large market of football consumers. Football enjoys a kind of monopoly in
this country of over 160 million people. You can’t imagine how much football
managers are loosing to mediocrity and lack of foresight in football
management.
First, government
at both state and federal level must be determined to hands off football
sponsorship and let both Associations and Clubs operate independently.
Second, NFF
board should elect only candidates who are entrepreneurship minded and grounded
in sports business.
The
president should embark on re-engineering the NFF structure to conform with a
new business operational outlook.
