NFF President Amaju Pinnick declared his second term agenda during his discussion on Channels TV prime program Sunrise Daily. And he said, his committee has set a clear goal to Making Football An Integral Part of Nigerian Economy in the next four years.
"It may look like a high ambition but it is attainable and by the time I finish my second term in the next four years, we will all see clearly the direction Nigerian football is going. Football is more than a social tool, it is a big business out there. The Premiership for instance, make £3.3billion pounds annually and employ directly 7300 and over 20,000 persons indirectly..." Amaju Pinnick explained.
"Our plan is to make football an integral part of Nigerian economy. And we are going to achieve this through the local league. We will soon be coming up with policies where for instance, every professional club in Nigeria must have 30% private ownership. So there will always be enough funding and clubs run like a proper business . Not as the situation is now, when a sports loving governor leaves office the club begin to struggle for lack of funds."
"We want to take football away from total government funding to private investors, creating the enabling environment for the business of football to strive in this country. Today, how does Nigerian clubs make money, only when they sell a player abroad for a major transfer fee. We are going to put in place all the necessary framework to attract corporate brands participation: Sponsorship, endorsements, advertisments, properity right holders and licensing...These are the bulwark upon which football business strive all over the world."
"We want our clubs to be able to compete favourably at the caf champions league and other continental competitions. Alhly, Esperance have been around for years, but with good structure and funding we can get the right players as well as assemble the right teams that can compete at that level. He concluded.
When asked if he will be able to achieve all these in four years or if he want to elongate his stay for a third term.
Pinnick replied: "I have said it in several fora that I am done with Nigeria football, after eight years I think I have paid my dues. There are competent men in the executive committee and outside that can take over. It is not possible to achieve all our goals in four years, but we want to create the structure and a clear roadmap that future executives can follow. Maybe at the global stage, but not at this level anymore."
"I have businesses and family, they hardly see me. This morning my daughter asked me 'where you going, ' it is football again. I want to able to spend more time with them and do other things privately." he said hilariously.
Pinnick went ahead to state the direction Nigeria football is already heading towards, especially with the national teams:
* Super Eagles have qualified for 2019 AFCON after missing out in the last two editions.
* Super Falcons won 2018 AWCON and qualified for France 2019 Fifa women world cup.
* Nigeria beach team have also qualified for Paraguay 2019 World cup
* Nigeria U17 team Eaglets has also qualified for the world cup.
"We have been able to achieve all these because of my leadership style. I have a personal relationship with these players. For instance, I may go to London and call up Alex Iwobi and we go out together for a drink. You should get these players to feel you, before they want to play for you. It is an emotional thing" Pinnick went on to explain.
"I have always make the players know it is all about Nigetia. You must put the interest of the country first and understand that it is a great privilege to wear the green-white-green, It is so important and emotional to help spur each player to bring out their best."
"I want to specially thank Mr. President for his tremendous support all the way; especially his direct intervention during the crisis.. It is not about me imposing myself. I came out and campaigned and you could see the landslide victory. It shows Nigerians and the football community love what we are doing.
"The accusations during the crisis where all malicious. For instance, before we signed the new contract with Nike, we had to pass their integrity test because we are Nigerians. They want to know they can hand over $30 milion dollars and trust we can use it judiciously for the benefit of their brand. So we have what it take to move Nigerian football upward and forward in the next few years.
