A huge step forward

Regional Technical Centre in the country, which took place in Bauchi on Tuesday, 13th May, 2014.The project was initiated almost immediately the present NFF administration came into office. We met the FIFA Technical Centre (otherwise known as FIFA Goal Project) in Abuja, and were determined to add many more in order to help the development […]

Regional Technical Centre in the country, which took place in Bauchi on Tuesday, 13th May, 2014.
The project was initiated almost immediately the present NFF administration came into office. We met the FIFA Technical Centre (otherwise known as FIFA Goal Project) in Abuja, and were determined to add many more in order to help the development of the game at the grassroots.
As I said at the foundation stone –laying ceremony in Bauchi, the importance of infrastructure to the development of sport can never be over-emphasized. Many, many years ago when we used to have infrastructure all over the place, we had many talented people coming through in several sports.
The depletion of these facilities all over the country, from local government to states and to the federal level, coincided with the low number of talents coming through.
The FIFA Technical Centre in Abuja has been a good example of how useful such facilities can be. We have been able to use this facility immensely for training programmes of our National Teams. Our junior teams have used the facility for camping and it has come handy during training programmes and elite programmes for our referees, administrators and coaches.
His Excellency, Mallam Isa Yuguda, was excellent on the day. Dressed in sparkling white and looking radiant as usual, he had with him the Secretary to the State Government, Commissioner for Youth and Sports and the Chief of Staff, as well as several important officials of the State House. He was delighted by the foundation stone –laying and surely glowed in it as Bauchi became the first city in the country to have such a facility outside the Federal Capital Territory.
There were also Senator Adamu Gumba and Hon. Godfrey Gaiya, the two men who have provided quality leadership for the sports committees of the National Assembly over the past three years. They actually flew with the NFF delegation from Abuja that morning, and followed the programme all through.
I am also indebted to Members of the NFF Executive Committee, Management and Staff of the Federation who were there and the other stakeholders who showed so much enthusiasm about the huge step forward for infrastructural development in our football.
There is no way I will forget the Head Coach of Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, who grabbed much of the attention right from the airport reception, and his assistant, Daniel Amokachi. They witnessed first-hand, the epoch event that is meant to drive the speedy development of the game at the grassroots.
Certainly, when the project is completed, it is not only football that will benefit. As His Excellency, Governor Yuguda noted, the youth and sport are inseparable, and once you get the youth engaged, you have solved much of the problem of society.
Hon. Gaiya praised the present NFF administration and harped on the need for continuity and stability in our football administration, as is the case in other climes and bigger bodies.
Already, we have written to the Lagos and Anambra State Governments to provide us land for the building of similar project in their States. Our plan is to build in three zones in the first phase and do the other three in the second phase.
With infrastructure, budding talents would come through more regularly and at greater volume than before, and our coaches will have wider and definitely richer pool to select players for the various National Teams.
My big ‘Thank You’ also goes to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji (Dr.) Rilwan Sulaiman Adamu, who hosted the entire delegation in his palace after the foundation stone –laying and prayed for the successful completion of the project.
His Royal Highness also prayed specially for the Super Eagles to excel at the FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil. I recall that when we were going to the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa early last year, the Emir prayed in a similar way, just as he did when the U-17 boys were leaving for United Arab Emirates for the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals last year.
The Emir expressed optimism that the Super Eagles will dazzle in Brazil, and most members of the delegation agreed with him.
One man who also did so much to put everything together in readiness for the day was Pascal Patrick (MON), a former Nigerian international player. He was all over the place ensuring that everything went to plan.
Next Week: The Road To Rio (5)