Nigeria’s Sports Minister John Enoh Targets Football Revival Amidst FIFA Concerns
Senator John Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, has hinted at imminent drastic measures to revive Nigeria’s football, which he described as been in decline.
Speaking to newsmen, he has expressed his unwillingness to remain silent any longer amidst the constant fear of FIFA sanctions and he emphasized his commitment to safeguarding Nigerian interests and emotions, stressing the need for proper management of football to ensure positive results that enhance national pride and joy.
Senator Enoh also voiced skepticism regarding FIFA’s threats, asserting Nigeria’s sovereignty and highlighting the government’s recent expenditure of N17 billion to settle NFF debts, which was not funded by FIFA. He criticized the current governance of football, advocating for broader involvement and accountability beyond the confines of the NFF.
“I cannot continue to keep quiet any longer over the affairs of the NFF because of fear of FIFA ban. I will continue to walk the fine line that protects the interest and emotions of Nigerians who expect nothing but good results and that our football be run properly, so that results posted by our teams add to their happiness and liveliness”, he stressed.
The minister said that he has his reservations about the threat of FIFA ban because “we are a sovereign country, the government spent about N17bn to clear outstanding debts owed by the NFF recently, it wasn’t spent by FIFA”.
Continuing, the minister said, “whether we qualify for the World Cup or not may not seem a problem to FIFA but it is a problem to Nigerians.
“Football is too much for Nigerians for the minister or ministry of sports development to leave in the hands of some people. It cannot continue to proceed as the exclusive preserve of some people because they are NFF”.
He added that he had to summon the NFF big wigs recently because “the outcomes of the World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic were not acceptable to the sports ministry, the federal government as well as Nigerians”.
While also blaming the players for not showing enough hunger and commitment in the national team, he expressed optimism that “we can still qualify if everything is done right in the remaining six matches in the qualifiers”.
Furthermore, he Addressed the recent disappointing World Cup qualifier outcome against South Africa and Benin Republic, while blaming both the Nigerian Football Federation officials and players for the unsatisfactory results but despite this setback, he expressed optimism that Nigeria can still qualify for the World Cup if corrective actions are promptly implemented in the remaining six qualifiers.
