How Dankwambo is motivating Gombe Utd – Yarma
How effectively are you coordinating the affairs of Gombe United football club? Working as the General Coordinator of the club is an uphill task. One has to coordinate all the activities of the club. I coordinate within and outside the club. When a player is recommended by the technical crew, I try to see how […]
How effectively are you coordinating the affairs of Gombe United football club?
Working as the General Coordinator of the club is an uphill task. One has to coordinate all the activities of the club. I coordinate within and outside the club. When a player is recommended by the technical crew, I try to see how such a player can be brought to the club without breaching the laid down procedures. And even when another club is interested in any of our players, I ensure the laid down rules are followed for a hitch free transfer. I also use my office to build cordial relationship between Gombe United and other clubs in the league. In addition, I try to make contact with foreign clubs for the good of Gombe United. My role is demanding but I try to discharge my responsibilities to the best of my abilities. However, as a human being, one is bound to make mistakes. Interestingly whenever I appear to have derailed, my chairman comes to my assistance with useful advice and suggestions on the way forward.
Gombe United seems to be struggling in the ongoing season. Why is this happening?
I agree with you that the performance of Gombe United this season is nothing to write home about. It may interest you to know that when the league started, we were among the first three clubs. We started well but the issue of elections in the state affected us. The former governor of the state, Senator Goje has always been committed to the club but when it was time for the just concluded elections, he had to give more attention to ensuring that PDP wins Gombe and that reduced the attention which the club enjoyed from him. Considering the governor’s enormous contributions in the past, we had to understand with him but the club was adversely affected. I must confess that when money was no longer coming out, things became really difficult.
What is the future of the club under governor Dankwambo?
The club enjoyed tremendous support from the immediate past governor, Senator Danjuma Goje and it is becoming increasingly clear that it would enjoy even a better deal under the present governor, Alhaji Hassan Dankwambo. In less than two months in office, the governor has demonstrated remarkable interest in the affairs of the club. Despite his ever busy schedule and competing demands for scarce state resources, it may interest you to know that he still finds time to enquire and proffer quick solutions to our needs. He is passionately motivating the club and engendering sports development in Gombe State.
What is the club management doing to depend less on government for funding?
Government cannot continue to invest in us without getting back something. We are looking in the direction of getting corporate sponsors who would make us depend less on government funding. If we are able to win a continental ticket, more sponsors would show interest in partnering with us. The government also would see reason why it should continue to support the club. We intend to give more attention to merchandizing and rebranding.
Would you say Gombe United still stands a chance of winning any laurel this year?
Our immediate priority is to remain in the Nigeria Premier League. We are sure of achieving this. We also want to play on the continent and are targeting the Federation Cup. Gombe United would be playing at the Ilorin centre and it is our desire to go all the way to the finals and also lift the trophy. It is only after grabbing a continental ticket that we would sit back and ask ourselves pertinent questions. We would make plans for the future especially as it concerns future achievements.
What is your reaction to the ongoing crises in Nigeria football?
Few years back, we held a congress. The congress of the Nigeria Football Federation is the supreme body. We all agreed that we are going to change the mane from Nigeria Football Association to Nigeria Football Federation and it was ratified by the congress. There were no dissenting voices and so I was a bit surprised that some people are now fighting over the change of name. There may be pending issues concerning the change of name but things shouldn’t have degenerated to the present level. I advise all genuine stakeholders to come together and discuss the way out of the present crises. I also want to use this opportunity to thank the new Minister of sports, Yusuf Suleiman who has shown interest in amicably resolving the existing crises in Nigeria football. The ministerial committee to reform our football is a commendable move. But again, the committee must operate within the FIFA, CAF and NFF statues.