By Dwelleth Morountodun
The Federal Government on Friday received report of the Ministerial Committee on the 10 year Football Development Masterplan set up to lay the foundation for the development of Nigeria’s number one sport, Football.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare who received the report in his office in Abuja said that the Committee was set up a little over 8 months ago, acting on the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari, to ensure that the Ministry develops a football masterplan with adequate structures for the future of the Nigerian Youth and her Football.
We as a Ministry he said, “Are happy that we never compromised on the quality of the persons called upon to serve in this committee.
Our deliberate search for the top grade quality of minds that have worked hard to produce this document is now justified.”
He commended President Buhari for his dogged commitment to the development of youth and sports in Nigeria, noting that the establishment of the committee was borne out of his desire to lay a foundation for Football development that will outlive him.
While applauding the committee for accomplishing the task assigned to them, Dare, assured that their recommendations will be carried out to the letter with a view to ensuring a better future for the game.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima stated that football, which occupies a special place in the lives of Nigerians is going through turbulent times as a result of the neglect of grassroot development of the sports.
He added that the committee among others suggested that the government should review the laws and status governing the administration of Football ranging from NFA Act of 2004, the supervisory role of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, FIFA laws of supremacy against Nigerian law and Constitution, including National Assembly interference that conflicts with FIFA Status leading to the threat of FIFA’s claim of third party.
He further called on the government to address the inconsistency in the name of the Football Federation as well as elect transparent and democratic local football councils at State levels to enhance grassroot administrative structure for the sports.