PFAN Throws Weight Behind Football Reform,calls for inclusiveness
The Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria, (PFAN), has thrown it’s weight behind the planned football reform of the country’s football to be embarked upon soon by the National Sports Commission.
In a statement by the body recognized as the sole representative of current and past Nigerian footballers, signed by it’s President Tijani Babangida (MON)
and the General Secretary, Edema Fuludu (MON),the association, acknowledged the resignation of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and members of the Executive Board which follows the clear and decisive call for comprehensive reforms of the country’s football.
PFAN, noted that for over two decades, it has been at the forefront of the agitation for transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance in Nigerian football and that the call for equal representation has been on the front burner of the body and as such are happy for the intended reforms just as it expressed hope that the National Sports Commission under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko, has the capacity and the best intentions to drive the much-needed reform process.
However, it posited that for the reforms to succeed, align with global best practices, and restore public confidence, there must be holistic and inclusive approach that reflects true stakeholder representation in the reforms even as it requested that the very people who are the product and face of the game be involved adequately.
secondly, the association advised the NSC and stakeholders to ensure that the process is fully compliant with CAF and FIFA Statutes, principles of good governance, and the autonomy of football administration; saying that Nigeria must
reform in a manner that protects the country’s international standing, avoid sanctions, and position football to benefit from CAF and FIFA development programs.
On commitment and collaboration, the association announced that it remains open and willing to collaborate with the NSC, government agencies, CAF, FIFA, and all genuine stakeholders to move Nigerian football forward, maintaining that their wealth of experience on and off the pitch is an asset that must be harnessed.
PFAN, while commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his political will in directing the relevant agencies of government to restore sanity to the country’s football ecosystem, appealed to him to ensure fairness in the running of the Board of the National Sports Commission.
This it said, is critical to avoid legal and administrative loopholes that may affect the Commission’s
operations at this crucial time.
