TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the unveiling of a committee to set up a 10-year plan to aid football development in the country.

According to a statement released by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesperson, Buhari gave the approval in a meeting with Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, and other dignitaries of the football world at Aso Rock in Abuja on Thursday.

The president also expressed his optimism that the “master plan” will impact Nigerian football positively on the global stage.

“‘I have also approved the unveiling of a committee to draw up a 10-year football development master plan for the country,” he said.

‘‘I expect that the recommendations of this committee will accelerate the development of football. It is my hope that it will further improve the fortunes of the game internationally.”

Reacting to the ongoing Aisha Buhari Cup in Lagos, the president then hailed the brilliance of the Super Falcons for defeating Mali 2-0 in the opener on Wednesday.

“This women’s football competition is a novel idea here, and I am sure it will be exciting in its execution for our womenfolk and lovers of football,” Buhari said.

‘‘It is also a confirmation of what we already know about our women.

‘‘Our national women’s football team, the Super Falcons, are a force to reckon with both on the continent and internationally.

‘‘Some of our women footballers such as Asisat Oshoala, who only recently became the first African to win the women’s European Champions League with her club Barcelona.

‘‘Rasheedat Ajibade, Rita Chikwelu, Onome Ebi, who is the only African to have played in five FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals, Desire Oparanozie and before them Perpetual Nkwocha, Mercy Akide-Udoh, Nkiru Okosieme and Ann Chiejiene are globally recognized stars.”

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