Ekiti United FC can become a big brand in Nigerian football -Bayo Olanlege

By Akeem Busari

The Chairman of Ekiti State Football Association, Bayo Olanlege has posited that the state’s owned football team Ekiti United FC can become a big brand, only if, the stakeholders desires it and conscientiously   works towards it.

The ebullient football administrator stated this in a chat with journalists. He highlighted the importance of rebranding and repackaging Ekiti United FC in line with best global practices for maximum benefits for the team and football development in the state.

“We can make Ekiti United FC a big and attractive brand to investors in and outside the state. We need to give it a total restructuring and with core professionals in charge of the team’s management,” he quipped.

Olanlege hinged his belief on the contributions of past administrators of the state and government officials who have laid down the markers on the ways forward in terms of organizational restructuring, financial supports and provision of better playing facilities at the doors of the state government.

“However, the choice is ours. As the genuinely concerned stakeholders must go beyond rhetorics and give it a straight shot. Football is big business around the world and Ekiti football must not be left behind,” Olanlege remarked.

He went to disclose the desire of the state FA to work in tandem with the management of the team in order to make it attractive to sponsors and investors.

“The board of Ekiti State FA are genuinely concerned about the present and future fortunes of football in the state. We believe that rebranding and repositioning of Ekiti United FC will equally resonate positively on football development in the state.

“And when the team becomes a widely accepted brand, it will also attract influx of investment into the state football. Let me reiterate once again, together, we can achieve that and more, if we truly want to develop football in Ekiti State,” the highly resourceful football administrator enthused.