Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare has charged the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on a new football development master plan for the country.
Speaking at the Stakeholders Forum on the business of football in Nigeria with the theme: A discussion on Nigeria football- A business Outlook at Ilaji Hotel and Sports Resort, Akanran, Ibadan area of Oyo State said NFF must present to Nigeria a football development master plan (at all levels-youth, amateur, professional, women football).
He said sports is a big business with the potentials to create jobs, arrest social vices, generate revenue and contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) if properly harnessed.
According to him, he noted that despite the economic stagnation created by the effect of COVID-19, world football Governing body FIFA’s revenue.
He said we need to change our orientation and start to do very difficult thinking in order to turn our football into a business.
“Our focus here today is even more about football, we must have the infrastructure to make it work.
“Let me give a new charge to the managers of Nigeria’s football fortunes, the NFF-
The Federation must present to Nigeria A football development master plan (at all levels-youth, amateur, professional, women football) before the end of this year 2021 with specific models and timelines, program of action, and expected outcomes.
“This must be done against the backdrop of the mindset that for football to become business and attract the necessary investments there must be a structure in place that is at par or strives to be at par with what we see elsewhere.
“The casual, cavalier approach to our football development by the NFF must change at all levels. In tandem with FG’s plan to deliver a new policy of sports as a business, the government will demand more coherent and consistent plans, initiatives, and programmes from not just the NFF but other federations.
“The table talk time is over. It is time to shake the table towards identifying and exiting those who hold or have held the growth and development of our football by the jugular,” he said.
Some of the keynote speakers include President of Nigeria Women Football League, Aisha Falode, Chief Segun Odegbami (MON), Michelle Obi, Chief Patrick Ekeji, Mallam Alhassan Yakmut, and Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Nebeolisa Anako among others.
 on a new football){kind=link}