Hooliganism
By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, March 23, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) President-General, Rafiu Ladipo, and some other stakeholders have advised against hooliganism and other forms of violence at match venues, in the interest of sports development.
The stakeholders expressed the viewpoint on Thursday at a summit/sensitisation programme with the theme: “Psychology of Peace in Match Venues”.
The event held at the Crown Football Club Stadium, Ogbomosho, Oyo State.
Ladipo advised clubs’ fans to ensure peace at all times during and after matches, saying that hooliganism had no place in football.
The NFSC Chairman, Sam Ikpea, also urged fans to comport themselves during matches, saying that the comportment would go a long way in determining the brand the club would be identified with.
“There is the need to promote fairness, respect and dignity, all for the purpose of making our match venues violence-free; this will go a long way to attract sponsors.
“We also need to assist security agents to ensure that dangerous objects, the drunk and persons with alcoholic drinks are not allowed into match venues.
“Ticket-touting, indecent or racist chanting, throwing objects at or toward the pitch and to those at the reserve seats must be prevented in their entirety.
“There is the need to have peace and freedom from the bondage of hatred, distrust, thuggery and hooliganism,” Ikpea said.
Mr Iwara Imin, a police Inspector, said that the Nigeria Police and other security agencies would put necessary machineries in motion to ensure peaceful atmosphere at match venues.
Mr Ojelowo Kehinde, Secretary, Oyo Football Association (OFA), advised security agencies to identify and arrest anybody that would want to cause unrest during matches.
Mr Abayomi Oke, the Oyo State Commissioner for Sports, was represented at the occasion by Mr Bolaji Repete, Special Adviser on Sports to the state governor.
The Crown Football Academy meant for players in the 13 years and 15 years age bracket was unveiled at the event by the trio of Oke, Ikpea and Coach Idowu Oloyede of the Crown FC.
Oke said at the unveiling of the academy that many renowned football stars cut their teeth in the various academies; hence, the need for grassroots football development.
“Messi and Ronaldo started their careers like you have started; so, you can also be the best in the future.
“I pray God to lead you through,” the commissioner said.
The General Manager of the Club, Rollanson Odeh, thanked the state Gov. Abiola Ajimobi for contributions to the development of sports in the state.
“I wish to thank the commissioner, special adviser on sports, permanent secretary, all directors in the sports ministry and other members of the management for their maximum support toward making the programme a huge success,” Odeh said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Crown FC was sanctioned for unruly behaviour in the 2016/2017 season in a home match against Abia Comets at the Soun Township Stadium, Ogbomoso, where some players and officials were banned.
The sensitisation programme was jointly organised by the Oyo State Football Association and the management of the Crown FC. (NAN)
KOJE/FLP/IGO
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Ijeoma Popoola