FG Inaugurates Presidential Committee On Football Dev

The Netherlands Arjen Robben celebrating his goal against Uruguay, yesterday

The Netherlands Arjen Robben celebrating his goal against Uruguay, yesterday

The Federal Government yesterday in Abuja inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Football Development in Nigeria.

Inaugurating the 12-man committee, Alhaji Isa Bio, Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), said the committee should come up with a strategy document for football development, during its four-month tenure.

Bio who performed the inauguration on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, said the committee was to help in arresting the “obvious downturn in football’’.

He listed the terms of reference to include developing a blueprint for the growth of football in Nigeria, identifying other viable sources for funding the sport and making other recommendations towards the development of the game.

Bio said: “In view of the obvious downturn in our football, the need to take decisive measures cannot be over-emphasised.

“Wide-ranging consultations were undertaken and recommendations made to government, among which was the setting up of this Advisory Committee.

“It is to come up with a strategy document within the four months it has to submit its report.’’

Responding on behalf of the committee, Mr Momodu Kadiri who is its chairman, and former Secretary-General of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA), said the members were grateful to government for the “very important assignment’’.

“We pledge to discharge our duties with transparency, honesty and diligence. We will do a good job that will help to place Nigeria in an enviable position in world football,’’ he said.

On the committee with Kadiri is Malam Danladi Bako, a former sports broadcaster, named as the Vice-Chairman.

Others are sports journalist Mitchel Obi, former Super Eagles’ striker and assistant coach Samson Siasia, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, Mr Seyi Akinwunmi and former Super Eagles’ captain Austin Okocha.

The rest are Mr Felix Okojie, Alhaji Kachhalla Gana, retired FIFA referee Jamila Buhari, former Sports Minister Sani Ndanusa and Mr Are Ademola, who is to serve as Secretary.

The committee evolved last Thursday as Nigeria Football Interim Management Committee with just two names following the President’s decision to withdraw Nigeria from international football competition for two years.

Following a chain of events, which included FIFA’s 48-hour ultimatum to Nigeria on Friday and the impeachment of three key members of the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Sunday, the name changed.

It moved to “Nigerian Football Advisory Committee’’, and by Monday when the Federal Government reversed its decision, it transformed into its new appellation.