Enoh Seeks Robust Synergy To Boost Quality Of Local League

By Edem ITA 

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has called for deliberate efforts from critical stakeholders aimed at enhancing the standard of football in the local league with a view of attracting global respect and sponsorship needed to regain lost glory.

The Minister stated this on Friday when he met with the leadership of the Nigerian Football Federation, NPFL Club Owners' Association, as well as the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) to consider modalities a necessary for the development of the the NPFL and football in the country.

The meeting held in Abuja, was a follow-up to the minister's earlier engagement with key football stakeholder groups in the nation weeks ago, to chart a way forward for the development of the round leather game. 

He noted that the engagement was vital and expedient given the urgent need for drastic i and strategic actions from clubs and match officials, to regain the flavor and glamour once prevalent in the local league.

He lamented the constant omission of Nigerian referees from FIFA and AFCON duties describing the recurring scenario as saddening episode and harped on the need for sober reflection to address the ugly trend.

 "Officiating as an integral part of football that could either make or mar the development of the round leather game," the Minister said. "Our football cannot be said to be developing, if our referees are excluded from international tournaments year in, year out. As a ministry we are concerned because this does not speak well for the reputation of the nation."

"This new season, the bitter experience from CAF (exclusion of Nigerian officials for AFCON) should be treated as a lesson to improve our conduct and operations," he added. "Corruption and kickbacks must not be tolerated. We are likely in this sorry state more because of what had happened in the past, but it is incumbent on us to take action points from our deliberations and define the future of our game. We must put our house in order internally, before we focus on the external determinants of our reputation."

Senator Enoh charged NPFL club owners to raise to their responsibility of scaling up their operation to a professional level by prioritising the welfare and insurance of players, club licensing compliance, security, infrastructure, contract matters as well as others are treated in accordance to best practices.

"Club owners must also rally their supporters, and provide security to ensure the protection of referees. Most of the time, they feel threatened and work in danger," he added.

In his remarks, the President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau said the Federation has introduced significant changes to enhance the performance of referees in the country while younger individuals are now being encouraged to take up officiating roles. He added that the NFF is developing a project in collaboration with CAF and FIFA, aimed at enhancing both the physical and education aspects of match officials in the country. 

"We have the vision to ensure that those that will earn FIFA refereeing badge in the country are young and can be relevant on the international stage for a long time. There are trainings we organize in conjunction with FIFA and also with CAF, with respect to the educational and physical trainings of match officials. We tell them what our problems are and our vision as a federation" Gusau said.

The Minister Senator was accompanied at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubak. The roll call of NFF team included President, Alh. Ibrahim Gusau, 1st Vice President, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, and General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. The NPFL board was represented by chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, and ex international, Daniel Amokachi. 

President, Nigeria Referees Association, Zubairu Sani, and Chairperson, NFF Referees Committee, Faith Irabor were also in attendance. NPFL Club Owners were represented by Association Chairman, Dr. Okey Kpalukwu and General Secretary, Godwin Enakhena