Still on govt and our local pro league - The Punch
Adokiye Amiesimaka
On 6th September, 1971, a Decree establishing the National Sports Commission was promulgated, entrusting it among other things �with the responsibility of encouraging and developing sports and games throughout Nigeria�� It was also �to provide and maintain sports centres and facilities��
Sports associations that were affiliated to their parent international bodies and expected to be run under their approved statutes were also statutorily tied to the apron-strings of the NSC.
That was how sports became public sector driven in Nigeria.
In the early 1990s, however, government singled out football among the over twenty Olympic sports for legislation and, despite the introduction of professionalism, made the Board of the Nigeria Football Association � the football governing body � subject to the control of the Minister in charge of Sports vide the NFA Act, 2004 (recently repealed).
The Minister�s control of the NFA extended to the Board of the Nigeria Premier League too as its Chairman was the 2nd Vice-Chairman of the Board of the NFA.
At state level, the Football Associations being affiliated to the NFA had a similar relationship with their respective Sports Commissioners.
However, as I tried to point out in an earlier piece, the provisions of the recently passed NFF Bill by the National Assembly will, if signed into law, still ensure that government�s influence on the football governing body in Nigeria is not diminished.
It is therefore not difficult to see why in addition to providing basic infrastructure for mass participation in sports for recreation and good health government cannot absolve itself from responsibility in ensuring that our pro football meets international standards. And professionalism is anchored on the pursuit of excellence.
Until recently we did not regard any sport as a respectable profession. Virtually all parents wanted their children to be lawyers, or doctors, or engineers, but not professionals in any sport, including football.
Yes, participation in sports was encouraged in schools. But, it was principally for recreation and as the missionaries would say, �to produce a healthy body for a healthy mind�.
Even at club level, football players were expected to be gainfully employed elsewhere and to only play the game as amateurs. And what was seen as �youth development� then was engaging the youth in competitions meant for their respective age groups. And a few sport centres and facilities that were barely functional were provided. At least, such active early engagement in sports helped to an extent at elite level.
But, as I have tried to point out on numerous occasions, times have changed and sports, especially football is much more competitive, lucrative, and attractive. Facilities too are now expected to be readily available and of the highest quality.
In fact, we have never had any proper youth development program in the strict sense of engaging professional personnel in different relevant areas, obtaining data and using it to regulate training and competitions (there can actually be too many competitions), monitoring nutrition and physical growth, and mentally fortifying athletes for serious competition in adulthood.
So far, there is no evidence that our public sector can successfully shoulder the burden alone.
For those who may postulate a contrary view by citing the former Soviet Union, let us be quickly reminded that sport, generally, was regarded there as a �tool of war� in the Cold War with the West. It was a matter of utmost national importance and considered in the national interest not to let sport suffer. It regarded victory in sport, especially against the US or any of its allies as proof of the superiority of its political philosophy and way of life. Accordingly, it spared no effort in the pursuit of excellence in sports.
But, the least that those in control of our football can do is to create the enabling environment for the private sector to find it compelling to also be an active participant while not forgetting, however, that just as it is not everything about the public sector that is bad so it is that not everything about the private sector is good. A synergy of the two sectors may be just what will work here in the circumstances.
Mention had been made earlier of substantial tax incentives. But that may not be persuasive enough especially in the light of infrastructural inadequacies and the fact that our pro league is not yet the �quality brand� on which the corporate world may want to leverage.
It is also important to reiterate that the private sector will not participate as an act of charity, but as a pure business investment.
At the moment, the few �bold� sponsors from the private sector are virtually begged to maintain a show of interest and that cannot be the way to get the best from that sector.
As I have tried to show, government controls sports, in general, and football, in particular, in Nigeria. On the public sector�s broad shoulders may, therefore, rest the task of initiating and sustaining the rejuvenation process. Those that fund the clubs that own our league may have to adopt a hands-on approach using the clout and authority of their office to get things done. They can publicly show support for the clubs and gradually refocus the attention of the fans.
Other issues to consider may include the need to reschedule our matches as an interim measure to avoid conflict with the EPL; strict compliance with essential prerequisites for membership of and participation in the league; top quality membership of the Boards of Directors of respective clubs as well as of Football Associations at state level and their counterpart at local government level; provision of appropriately trained coaches; upgrading of infrastructure; etc.
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