Lulu Defends Stakeholder’s Trip To S/Africa

Nigeria Football Federation NFF President, Sani Lulu has defended his executive committee’s decision to take what has been described as an unwieldy number of football officials to South Africa for the World Cup.

Lulu told the officials at a meeting in Richards Bay on Sunday morning that they were in South Africa to learn valuable lessons in football administration, and nothing else.

“Some people back home have been saying nasty things about the fact that you are here at the FIFA World Cup. But I ask them: If we don’t sponsor stakeholders of the game, members of the Congress to the FIFA World Cup, which persons should we sponsor to come here?

“The NFF is not moved by all the noise and cry by those who see nothing good in anything. We’re fully committed to carrying the stakeholders of the game along in everything we do.

“But my charge to you is to work hard in the various committees to which you have all been assigned and learn football organisation and planning at the highest level possible, so that when you go back home, you will have much to offer your constituencies.

“It is important that we all go back to our country having learned one or two things to help football development in the grassroots.”

The stakeholders are staying at Road Lodge, a facility far away from the team’s Protea Hotel Waterfront.

Among the stakeholders in South Africa for the World Cup finals are State FA Chairmen, Secretaries, representatives of players’ union, coaches and referees, football Ambassadors and consultative forum elders.