Daily Trust

Pinnick advised to convene stakeholde­rs’ summit

I laid solid foundation for Kano Pillars FC – Shekarau

- By David Ngobua @Ngobuadavi­d By Mike Oboh

Former Secretary General of the then Nigeria Football Associatio­n, Dr. Tijani Yusuf has called on the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick to immediatel­y convene a stakeholde­rs summit to save Nigerian football further decline.

Speaking to Daily Trust Former Kano State governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau has attributed the success recorded by Nigeria Premier League defending champions Kano Pillars football to the solid foundation he laid for the club.

Shekarau who spoke in Abuja shortly after his club, yesterday on the recent dismal outings of the Super Falcons and the Dream Team at the just concluded All Africa Games in Congo, the university don said football loving Nigerians are uncomforta­ble with what is becoming of the country’s game.

He said Nigeria is blessed with knowledgea­ble administra­tors who can help proffer solutions to the problems of football in the country. Sardauna football club lost 1-2 in a friendly game against the national boys U17 team inside the Abuja National stadium, said what is needed in the country is for the government to show great commitment to sports developmen­t.

He said as governor of Kano State, his administra­tion laid a solid foundation for Kano

Yusuf maintained that if he hearkens to his call, Pinnick will be the one to benefit as he would be the one to take all the praises, if Nigerian football is back on track.

According to him, the present board of the NFF may have good intentions but it appears it is bereft of the right ideas to move the game forward.

He, therefore, reiterated that football administra­tors who Pillars football clubs and other sports in the state and that is responsibl­e for the success of both the Pillars football and basketball clubs.

“No one is in doubt that whatever the fruits Kano Pillars football and basketball clubs are enjoying today is the product of the input from my administra­tion in the state. wish to see the game return on the right path would not hesitate to make themselves available for use by the present NFF.

“Just like any other patriotic Nigerian, I am uncomforta­ble with the present decline in Nigerian football. It is obvious that the present NFF needs help.

“I was surprised at the performanc­e of our national teams at the All Africa Games. The teams simply did not

“The support they are getting now started because as a government we lifted them up and they at the end did not disappoint,” he said.

While charging the Eaglets to emulate their predecesso­rs by making the country proud in Chile, Shekarau said the U17 boys should be discipline­d and focused. live up to the expectatio­ns of Nigerians.

“I, therefore, want to advise Amaju Pinnick to organise a football stakeholde­rs’ summit so that those with the required knowledge will help point the way forward.

“This to me is just the right thing to do and in the end, he will be the one to reap the benefits. Football is not administer­ed on the pages of newspaper,” he said.

Shekarau also said the promotion of his club from the amateur league to National Division One at the close of this season was a major breakthrou­gh that would be sustained.

“Sardauna FC promotion is a major breakthrou­gh for the team and what we need to do now is to sustain it.”

 ??  ?? John Obi Mikel of Nigeria reacts with teammates after being defeated by France 2-0 during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match
between France and
Nigeria
John Obi Mikel of Nigeria reacts with teammates after being defeated by France 2-0 during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between France and Nigeria

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Nigeria