President Muhamamdu Buhari said that the membership of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick on the FIFA Council will bring benefits that will lead to the advancement of football in Africa.
The president said so on Friday in Abuja, during an audience with the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare and Pinnick, at the State House.
He once again congratulated the boss of the NFF on his electoral victory in the strategic body that defines the vision of world football, assuring him of Nigeria‘s support in his new post.
“The post on the Council of the governing body of world football, FIFA, comes at a time when Nigeria is determined to turn the tide of its sporting development through better infrastructure, more public and private investment.
“Without prejudice to the continental nature of your mission in the Council, I urge you to use your position to ensure that Nigeria’s sporting image is enhanced.
“I know this position will help Nigeria to secure technical and financial support from FIFA; and your position should create a platform for other Nigerians to join the family of FIFA and other international sports federations, ” he said.
While emphasizing his belief in the potential of sport to promote peace, unity, improve health and boost the economy, Buhari said: “ One of the biggest sports is soccer and Nigeria is a great football nation.
“I myself am an avid football fan. “
On his vision for Nigerian football, the president told the minister and the president of the NFF:
“I want to see Nigerian football develop and follow a more dynamic trajectory from football administration to youth and grassroots football, the hunt for talent and the use of Nigerian talent at home.
“Nigeria also needs a more privatized and organized football regime that can compete with others in Europe and America,” he said.
The President therefore urged the NFF to work with the Sports Ministry and football stakeholders to provide Nigeria with a 10-year football master plan that would ensure the development of youth football, in line with FIFA’s commitment.
He urged companies to invest in the development of sport and pledged his administration’s commitment to turning sport into business.
He added that the expected revised sports industry policy “will be the catalyst that transforms related football activities into key contributors to the national economy.”
In his remarks, Dare thanked the President for his support for the development of sport in the country and for approving the requalification of sport in business, instead of mere leisure.
He promised that a new draft sports industry policy was almost ready, along with a 10-year master plan for football at all levels.
New FIFA Council member Pinnick also praised President Buhari for his support of football, saying: “Without you I could not have been elected to the FIFA Council. Your name is highly respected throughout. the continent.”
Pinnick pledged to be a worthy ambassador for the country, adding “I will use the office to build Nigerian football, together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.”
He was elected to the FIFA Council on March 12 after a landslide victory, beating the President of the Malawian Federation Walter Nyamilandu by 43 votes to eight at the CAF General Assembly held in Rabat, Morocco .
He becomes the third Nigerian elected to the prestigious council after Oyo Orok Oyo (1980-1988) and Amos Adamu (2006-2010). (NAA)
