3SC official proffers way forward for Nigerian football

Shooting Stars Admin Manager, Mr. Lakin Adegun has suggested ways by which Nigerian football can grow.

“If our football must move to the next level, we must strive to make it attractive, not only to Nigerians alone but to the outside world,” he said. 

“This is food for thought for all the stakeholders.  Let us all put our hands on deck to lift the game of football in Nigeria.”
 
“Going by the history of football in Nigeria, the game started as far back as 1945.  As at this time up till some years thereafter, there were few football Clubs.  Unlike now, these Clubs were scattered across the country, but as few as they were then, the few competitions being organized among them were purposeful and entertaining. 

“This tempo continued and there were noticeable progress year after year until around 1970s when the organized league system started in the country.  During that time, the game had started to enjoy popularity in Nigeria.  The league was then organized on group basis at designated centers.  This group system was on for some time before it was re-organised on home and away basis.
 
“ The way our league was being organized gave much satisfaction to all the lovers of the game and no wonder the game continued to gain popularity and thus become the “king” of all sports today.  Today, anybody would agree that it is the most loved among the various sports, not only on the African continent but all over the world.  The popularity and systematic progress of the game in Nigeria gave birth to the introduction of Professional Football and later Premier League in 2003.
 
“Quite frankly, the advent of professional football in the country is supposed to be a blessing to the lovers of the game but very unfortunately, the game is bedeviled with many unfortunate factors. 

“After about 38 years of its birth, the game cannot develop than the stage it is today.  L

“Looking critically at our football and its problems in Nigeria, almost everybody who could be described as “stakeholder” is guilty – the administration, officiating, funding, supporter-ship, publicity, security, etc. – all still left much to be desired.
 
“In the final analysis we have to look at the way the foreign Clubs that are participating in European soccer are being supported in Nigeria, one would feel ashamed on the way we promote and propagate foreign soccer at the expense of ours.

“The top foreign Clubs and their individual players are much more known than our own Clubs.  We have even gone as far as forming Fan Clubs for these various foreign Clubs.  Although the lovers of these foreign Clubs may not be blamed since they are deriving enjoyment and satisfaction in it because of the way their football is being organized.”