Stadium
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Kwara Football Association (FA) says it is in possession of evidence that money realised from rentage of the Kwara State Stadium Complex’s main bowl was going into private accounts.
Amidst the raging controversy on the maintenance of the grass of the pitch, the Football Association on Thursday in Ilorin said it was officially withdrawing its services.
Speaking with newsmen, the Chairman of the FA, Malam Idris Musa, said the decision became necessary to forestall a further clash of interests.
Reacting to claims by the Executive Chairman of Kwara Sports Commission, Malam Bola Mogaji, that N3 million was remitted to the FA’s account, Musa said that was incorrect.
Musa said the money, out of which N1 million was allocated to the Kwara Sports Commission, was not paid into the FA’s account.
“Where did the N3 million come from? The only money we collected was N1 million from the 10 Nationwide League One (NLO) clubs, and which we paid into the Commission’s account.
“The Commission complained about the delay in us paying them N1 million.
“All the clubs didn’t pay at once. Some paid early, while some paid even 10 to 11 days later, and we waited until all payments were made before we remitted same into the Commission’s account.
“From where is the N3m coming from, and for what exactly? He has no idea of what kind of money comes and goes out of our account.
“And it’s clear that our account has records. We can prove anybody wrong by making the account statements available.
“They are directing people to pay into personal accounts, of which we are taking proper records.
“We have enough evidence of payment of monies into private accounts, and not even the Commission’s account or that of Kwara Internal Revenue Services (KWIRS). The only money we paid into the Commission’s account was the N1 million from the 10 NLO clubs,” the Kwara FA chairman said.
He noted that it was not a threat the body was withdrawing its maintenance services because a lot of questions would need to be asked about the processes of doing so.
“We cannot continue to make the facility conducive for use while some people are collecting revenue on it, and not remitting part of it to support the maintenance processes.
“We decided to initiate the construction of the grass pitch and also maintain it not for our own personal gains, but for the growth of sports and other related businesses in the state.
“We also did that to encourage the hosting of national and international matches, as FIFA and CAF are moving from synthetic grasses to natural grasses,” Musa said.
While making further clarifications, Musa said while the facility belongs to the government, the Kwara Sports Commission are the caretakers.
He added that the issue of maintenance became that of the FA because of the process of having the grass converted from artificial to natural grass two seasons ago.
Musa disclosed that Barrister A, U. Mustapha agreed to support the conversion to complement government’s efforts, and this was successfully executed.
He added that Kwara FA midwifed that conversion process, and had since undertaken the maintenance, with Kwara United Football Club fully funding the maintenance.
The Kwara FA Chairman said this was just to ensure they play their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matches at home.
“Maintenance of the grass should be the responsibility of the Commission, especially when it’s a commercial facility. But they have never maintained it ever since the planting of the natural grass,” he said.
Musa added it was Kwara United, especially its Chairman, Kumbi Titiloye, who had been spending heavily to maintain the grass for the team to have the opportunity of playing in front of their fans.
“Even at that, they still pay the Commission the normal charges for the usage of the facility on match days,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bola Mogaji, the KSC Executive Chairman, had on Tuesday fought back against those accusing him of various wrongdoings.
He had urged them to familiarise themselves with the regulations governing stadium facility management.
Mogaji told NAN the Commission was open to providing clarifications where necessary.
He had been accused of mismanagement and embezzlement of funds, related to the use of the main stadium by teams and football clubs.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
OOH/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)