Amiesimaka Seeks Amendment Of NFA Act

Following the deteriorating standard of Nigeria’s football administration, former international, Adokiye Amiesimaka, has called on the appropriate authorities to amend the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Act, 2004 section 19 which gives the Sports Minister power to control the football house.

Amiesimaka, made the call in an exclusive interview with Tidesprots on Monday, in Port Harcourt, saying that the best thing to do to ensure development  of football in the country was to repeal the NFA Act, 2004, section 19.

“I was privileged to play under foreign and Nigeria coach.So I know what I am talking about.

I have what it takes to become the chairman of NFA, but I would not unless the structure is changed,” Amiesimaka said.

According to him, since the NFA board is within the purview of the Sports Ministry, the board must comply with the directives of the Sports Minister.

“Football does not need government funds, look at our professional league as bad as it is doing, know that it does not depend on government. Five years ago when it started this private sponsorship the budget was 70 million now is over 1 billion. That is professional league as bad as it is, then look at the football brand as it relates to our national team’ he stated.

Amiesimaka, who was one time chairman of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, said Nigeria is supposed to be among the best football countries, because the nation is naturally gifted with talents.

“We should be among the best because we are naturally gifted, we need not play second fiddle.”

“I applauded the president, Goodluck Jonathan, when he declared the two years ban, infact I was thinking that we should go for four years sabbatical, leave. You see we want the best, but we don’t want to do things that will make us become the best.You want to become a lawyer, you don’t want to go to school, and get certificate,” he stated.

Tonye Orabere