BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU
The Senate President, Senator David Mark has charged the Super Eagles of Nigeria to restore their integrity as the reigning champions in Africa by beating Sudan in the ongoing African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Senator Mark said the Super Eagles needed to step up their games and restore the confidence of Nigerians in their abilities to remain the African champions.
Receiving the new executives of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, led by Pinnick Amaju’s and the Director General of the National Sports Commissio (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye in Abuja yesterday, The Senate President insisted that only an emphatic win over Sudan would assuage the feelings of Nigerians after the Super Eagles woeful outing against Congo.
He tasked the new NFF executives to rise up to the challenge of improving Football administration in Nigeria saying “your predecessors did their best but you just have to improve on their records and bring our football to an enviable position in the world.”
To achieve this, the Senate President urged the new NFF to develop a system of early preparation for competitions as well a process of grooming young players to maturity.
According to Mark, “We have all the potentials and talents. We need to tap and harness them.”
Bemoaning the incessant rancour amongst sports administrators he advised the new NFF to work as a team and carry all stakeholders along in a manner that would give all a sense of belonging.
He harped on the need for transparency and accountability in the administration of football stressing that the rule of law must be sacrosanct.
Earlier, the President of NFF, Mr. Amaju told the Senate President that he would run the NFF in a scientific manner that would bring pride and honour to all Nigerians henceforth .
He said he would redefine the way football is administered in Nigeria in line with international best practices and ultimately bring positive result to the nation.
Amaju stated:”My road map towards improving soccer administration is very clear. It is a road map that is result – oriented . It is a new dawn in sports administration. By the time we give our report card , Nigerians would be proud of what we have done”.
Vanguard