Nigeria Labour Congress,NLC sees a bright future for Nigerian football on the heels of Super Eagles’ triumph.A statement by Abdul Wahed Omar,NLC president said “On behalf of the Nigerian workers we congratulate the Super Eagles of Nigeria on its victory at the just concluded African Cup of Nations tournament’s final match which was played at the National Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa, thirteen years after Nigeria last won the trophy.
“We see in this victory a bright future for Nigerian football, if we are able to put the right people in the management of sports in general and soccer in particular.
”Some of the Nigerian players are from Nigeria based teams and with their performance at this tournament, it is clear that given the right facilities, managers and priority attention, soccer will return as a major sector and home to our teeming unemployed youths who have the skill and interest in the sport.
NLC therefore called on government to review the lackluster attention sports has received so far by reforming the sector in other to reposition the sport Industry to conform with contemporary times.
“Specifically, we urge the Nigeria Football Federation to urgently reorganize the Nigerian Football League by providing adequate resources and facilities that will identify young people from primary schools up to tertiary educational institutions for consistent trainings, community and inter school competitions where future national players are identified and engaged by both the Federal and State Sports Ministries.
Omar said “The private sector must also renew their interests in the sports industry by encouraging home based clubs with modern facilities, sustainable remunerations and exposure to national and international trainings and competitions. We shouldn’t wait until the next international tournament before assembling players.
“The Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Mr. Stephen Okechukwu Keshi and must be commended for their dexterity, focus and patriotic pride which clearly showed in the way he calmly played all the matches. The Coach and all the players’ professional qualities facilitated the victory we now celebrate. All the players displayed their commitment and worked as a team determined to rescue Nigeria from the abyss we have been left for nearly two decades. They all showed patriotism and must be commended and honoured not just by government but by all Nigerians.
“Government and all stakeholders in the sporting industry must ensure we sustain this victory and prepare the entire industry for more victories at home and abroad.
“This way, we will rekindle the interests of Nigerian football fans who have since been lost to the European League and other foreign leagues.
“Indeed, if the industry is not rescued quickly, we will not only lose football fans; we will lose more players to foreign clubs and leagues. We must not allow what happened to the manufacturing industry, majority of which have been lost to other countries, to happen to sports, being another industry with prospect of engaging thousands of our unemployed youths.
…We will build on the current success, Abdullahi assures Nigerians
The Honourable Minister of Sports, and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has thanked Nigerians for the massive support of the Super Eagles, stating that their support inspired the team to victory.
He further commended the players, Coach Stephen Keshi and other members of the technical and support team for their hardwork, dedication and discipline, which has translated into victory for the team.
According to Abdullahi, the Super Eagles have given Nigerians a cause for celebrations and their victory has lifted the mood of the nation ahead of the 100 year anniversary celebrations of Nigeria.
He however noted that, “This is not the final destination. We will work with the Nigeria Football Federation to ensure that we build on the current success and make the Super Eagles world-beaters.
We will not rest until enduring governance systems for sports management have been built and the culture of excellence is entrenched in not just football but in all our sports.”
