Gara-Gombe under pressure to join race for NFF presidency

A former chairman of Gombe State Football Association, Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, has come under pressure from Nigerian football stakeholders to join the race for the next president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Even before the declaration yesterday by Amaju Pinnick that he is not vying for a third term, at least 12 Nigerians […]

A former chairman of Gombe State Football Association, Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, has come under pressure from Nigerian football stakeholders to join the race for the next president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Even before the declaration yesterday by Amaju Pinnick that he is not vying for a third term, at least 12 Nigerians were heavily linked with the plum NFF position.

Among those mounting pressure on Gara-Gombe are politicians, civil servants, diplomats, Nigerians in the diaspora and key figures in corporate Nigeria who contend that the major challenges that have bedeviled Nigeria football over the years require a new direction through visionary leadership, which can be provided by the astute football administrator renowned for his courageous, fearlessness, passion and sincerity.

Those clamouring for Gara-Gombe have hinged their support for him on his track records in football administration within and outside Nigeria.

Gara-Gombe has at different times been two-time chairman of Gombe United Football Club, member of Gombe State Sports Council Board, Secretary General of Nigeria Football Stakeholders Forum, Special Adviser on Sports Development to former Kano State governor, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and is the youngest Match Commissioner in the history of Nigeria football after commissioning his first match at age 28 in Ibadan.

In addition, he was also among the three Nigerian representatives at the CAF Elective Congress in Egypt where Dr. Amos Adamu was elected as CAF Executive Committee member and consultant to both Julius Berger FC and Voice of Nigeria FC while his visionary programmes as the Gombe FA chairman have remained indelible to the present day.

Gara-Gombe’s international pedigree also led to his recent appointment as consultant to Avadas Football Club and Academy in Morocco.