The world football governing body, FIFA, has launched a two-day club management program in Nigeria, aimed at improving football administration, enhancing commercial viability and promoting financial autonomy.
The programme which kicked off at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, brought together club chairmen, chief executive officers, and key stakeholders from across Nigeria’s football leagues.
At the event, the general secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi,said he has high expectations that participants will pay attention to the course knowing the importance and how it will benefit their clubs.
“My expectation is that participants will pay attention to this event knowing fully the importance of it. My other expectation is that at the end of the program,they will have a change of attitude and approach to the administration of football.
“And in line with that to learn how teams can live on their own by getting their marketing and sponsorship right in order to take away a lot of burden on the government,” Sanusi stated.
Also speaking Dr Okey Kpalukwugeneral manager of Rivers United and chairman football club owners of Nigeria, noted that clubs will be better off in terms of marketing and governance. “We believe that at the end of this program, clubs will be better off in terms of management, marketing and governance. We will use the knowledge to move the clubs forward.”
On his part, general manager of Plateau United, Habila Mutla said, “This course will open our eyes and understanding to modern management of football, especially strategies in marketing and finance.Most of the club’s are government sponsored because the marketing drive is lacking.Im sure this course will help us understand how to go about it.”
In attendance were 40 participants, including chairmen and CEOs of 20 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs, as well as representatives of the Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), and Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO).
