TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari has launched the 10-year football development master plan in Nigeria.

According to a statement released by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesperson, on Tuesday, Buhari also warned that any attempt to undermine the development of football in Nigeria will be resisted.

The president described football as “a national asset” and “our passion and a major tool for unity” while demanding “all stakeholders to work together constructively and patriotically.”

He added that there have been moves to “disrespect and undermine the institutions supervising our sports”.

The president said his administration will not “take lightly any attempt to inflict injury on its football fortunes.”

”Indeed, just as I expect and demand a higher standard of patriotism, responsibility, and commitment from those charged with the administration of our football, I also urge all stakeholders to work together constructively and patriotically,” Buhari was quoted as saying.

”We have seen attempts to disrespect and undermine the institutions supervising our sports. We have seen attempts to subjugate national interest for narrow interest or disrespect the laws of Nigeria. Nigeria will not take lightly any attempt to inflict injury on its football fortunes.”

Buhari also directed the ministry of youth and sports development and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to commence implementation of the decade-long football master plan.

”This government is interested in developing a football culture that will accommodate global best practices that will also help the nation to lay a solid foundation for her domestic football, put in place professionally and efficiently run leagues, entrench a consistent and stable football calendar and create a value chain which will boost the sports ecosystem,” the president was quoted as saying.

”Achieving this will guarantee desired progress in continental and international competitions.

”I know that a lot of work went into putting this 10-Year Masterplan together. I received regular briefings on the work being done and I am happy that our goal has been achieved. I am happy that the Masterplan enjoyed the inputs of a wide range of stakeholders in football.

”I am equally happy that the Nigeria Football 10-Year Masterplan (2022-2032) identified Fifteen (15) Key Areas of challenge and provided practical recommendations to address these fundamental problems that have bedeviled football development in the country.

”The implementation of the short-term and medium-term plans should commence.

”I believe this will signal a positive turning point for our football and a major step forward in our bid to create a conducive environment for its sustainability, viability, and profitability. The Nigeria Football Federation, the body charged with the development of our football is directed to own and commence the implementation of this master plan under the supervision of the ministry of youth and sports development.”

In June, Buhari had charged Amaju Pinnick, NFF president, to provide a ten-year football master plan in line with FIFA’s commitment to the development of the sport.

A few months later, the president approved the unveiling of a committee to set up the master plan.

Buhari also expressed his optimism that the master plan will impact Nigerian football positively on the global stage.