NPL: SWAN Congratulates, Charges Owumi

The newly elected chairman of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Prince Davidson Owumi, has been congratulated by members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Enugu state branch, even as they  described  him “as a square peg in a square hole.”

In a statement issued in Enugu and made available to sports writers at the weekend  by the state secretary of the body, Mr. Ignatius Okpara, the organisation, applauded the transparent and peaceful manner in which  the poll was conducted.

The Association, also expressed the hope that the new NFL chairman  would use his wealth of experience in the round leather game to turn around the bastardised nation’s soccer regulatory body.

SWAN was also of the view that   that having  played and managed the game of soccer,  the Delta state born football administrator and tactician  has all it takes to take the nation’s domestic league to the next level.

“AS a player, and seasoned football administrator who has seen it all in the game of soccer, we believe and have no doubt in our minds that with the support and encouragement of all major stake holders in the foot ball business,   Owumi, would deliver”

The Association  equally  believed that  going by  the former Rangers FC of Enugu player and manager’s antecedent and  pedigree as far as football administration is concerned  in Nigeria, it is obvious to say that  the  nation domestic league is in for a new dawn, adding that it is only by engaging the right person  as Owumi in such a position that the nation football could  be moved forward.

“While assuring the brand new NFL boss, who is also one of the Enugu SWAN patrons  of our support and cooperation at all times”, the Association urged him to immediately start  putting  in place progammes that would assist in  making   the nation’s domestic league once attractive  like it used to be in the 70s  and 80s. NFL must do every thing humanly possible to ensure that the nation’s soccer fans return back to all the stadia, because the  laying of much emphasis on the foreign leagues has done more harm than good to our football”, he further stressed.

     The organisation, however,  advised  the new NFL chairman, to beware of sycophants if he wants to succeed in office, just as they want him to take the issue of soccer  hooliganism and alleged corruption among match officers very seriously.