Events
Exec Suites
Ogaba points way forward for Nigerian football
Written by Duncan Friday, 09 July 2010
ShareA former international Peter Ogaba says the
welfare of coaches and players in the domestic league must be looked
into if Nigerian football must move forward.
Ogaba, a
silver medallist at the 1987 U-17 World Cup, said he was happy with the
Federal Government‘s decision to reverse its two-year ban on the
national teams from international competitions.
”We‘re happy with the recent development because it will move our football forward,” the former Belgium-based player said.
”But
I wish they look at some other areas which have been abandoned. The
welfare of players and coaches in the domestic league has been left
untouched and these are the people who will move our football forward.
”There
is no law protecting our players and coaches and this has contributed
in bringing our football backwards. If they are well catered for, they
will give their best and our football will benefit from it.”
He also hailed the happenings at the national football house, saying it will positively affect Nigerian football.
He
said, ”Anybody coming in now will know that serving on the NFF board is
no longer a jolly ride but that they have to work to achieve results.”
I hope that the present trend brings positive changes to our game.”
Ogaba insisted that Nigeria must go back to the grassroots to bring back the glory days of our football.
”I
think we should go back to the grass roots and the league. We don‘t
have to rely on the foreign-based players always. We must build our
foundation on the home-based players and then invite their foreign
colleagues to join them.
”We are not giving our
home-based players exposure. We need to put about 70 of them together
and play friendly matches; results don‘t matter because they may not
get the desired results immediately.
”If we give them the desired exposure, they will mature as players and give their foreign counterparts stiff competition which will positively enhance our national team. This was what happened in my time,” the Saudi ‘89 U-20 World Cup silver medalist said.
Show/hide comments
Show/hide comment form
