New NFF board will focus more on grassroots football — Icheen

A member of the newly inaugurated Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Rt. Hon. Margaret Mwuese Icheen, has assured that the board will give priority attention to grassroots football development. In a chat with Daily Trust yesterday, the former Speaker of The Benue State House of Assembly who is also the Chairperson of […]

A member of the newly inaugurated Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Rt. Hon. Margaret Mwuese Icheen, has assured that the board will give priority attention to grassroots football development.

In a chat with Daily Trust yesterday, the former Speaker of The Benue State House of Assembly who is also the Chairperson of the Benue State Football Association said once football is properly structured and developed at the grassroots, all other levels of the game will benefit to the fullest.

She said her vision is the same with that of the new president of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who recently charged members of the board to pay more attention to grassroots football.

“I believe that football is a grassroots affair. It has to be developed at the grassroots. Once the game is developed at the grassroots, there will be accelerated development at all levels.

“So, my aim is to ensure that football at the grassroots is given all the necessary attention and taken very seriously. I believe that is also the plan of our president.

“He told us at our inaugural meeting that he wants grassroots football development to be given priority attention. So, with the support of my colleagues on the board, I will help develop grassroots football in north central and the north in general,” she assured.

Icheen maintained that to actualise her vision for grassroots football development in Benue state, she and her board members will think outside the box to attract individuals and corporate sponsors.

“Administering football is no doubt capital intensive. Most times, you find people who are interested but are scared because they lack the wherewithal to support the game.

“We are going to think outside the box. I believe that once there are positive results, people will be willing to put their hard earned money into football,” said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Benue State.

Read the full interview in Daily Trust Saturday on October 15.