NAN-S-7
Stakeholders
By Vezi Isike
Lagos, Dec. 8, 2016 (NAN) Fans have commended the South-West States Football Forum (SWSFF) for organising a Pre-season tournament for the clubs in the zone participating in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Some of the stakeholders, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos, said that the competition was aimed at fostering unity among the clubs in the zone.
They said that the maiden competition would be used to help clubs to prepare for the league.
The clubs participating in the competition are new entrants to the elite league with Remo Stars, the oldest club in the South-West, 3SC of Ibadan, Sunshine Stars of Akure, and Lagos-based MFM FC.
The tournament, which kicked off at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos, on Dec. 6, will end on Dec. 8.
Apart from the competition, there is also a one-day seminar for the players, coaches, referees, administrators and supporters.
Former General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Bolaji Ojo-oba, Taiwo Ogunjobi and retired FIFA referee, Calistus Chukwunjeku were resource persons.
The seminar focussed on excellent understanding and interpretation of the Laws of the Game and advocacy on genuine and non-violent football followership.
Co-coordinator of the forum, Seyi Akinwunmi, said that the forum was determined to develop football across the zone and foster unity among the clubs in the zone.
“We want the fans to see the game of football as a non-violent.
“The aim is also to prepare our players and team from the zone for the league.
“This gives them the opportunity, especially the new players that will be playing in the league for the first time to have the feel of playing in the elite competition,’’ he said.
Akinwumi, who is also the Vice-President of NFF, said the competition was to hype the commencement of the 2016/ 2017 season.
Ogunjobi told the participants bring back the glorious day of football to the zone.
“The South-West is the hub of football in the country, in the old days the zone dominated football in the country.
“We have seen clubs from the zone winning the league and Challenge Cup in the same season.
“But now, other zones have taken over from us, does that mean we don’t have teams that can win major trophy for the zone?
“You have to go out there and bring back the glorious days,’’ he said.
Ojooba said that all the stakeholders must rise up and revive the country’s football from total collapse.
He, however, condemned the stakeholders managing the nation’s football for the decay in sector.
“What we see now is match fixing and high level of corruption in our football.
“Clubs managements now lobby for referee to officiate their matches,’’ he said.
Ojooba urged the players to put in their best in earning victory in any match.
“If the clubs arrange to win the league, can they arrange to win when they represent the country at continental championship?’’
In some of the matches played, Sunshine defeated 3Sc 2-0, MFM beat Remo Stars 1-0.
Sunshine also defeated MFM 2-1, while Remo trashed 3SC 4-0. (NAN)
VOI/DEB/PDE
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(Edited by Debo Oshundun/Peter Ejiofor)