Imo FA Chairman Declines Master Plan Ctte Invitation, Claims Government Interference
The Chairman of the Imo State Football Association, Amanze Uchegbulam, has turned down a chance to submit a proposal to a ministerial committee to design a 10-year developmental plan for Nigeria Football after suggesting doing so will amount to succumbing to Government Interference in football matters, which could in turn lead to serious sanctions.
Uchegbulam is one of six FA Chairmen, who were named to represent the various geo-political zones and present their proposals to the Master Plan Committee.
The Imo football chief is one of the most experienced administrators in Nigeria and has also held various positions at CAF level.
In a correspondence to the committee, the Imo FA cited various sections of the 2010 NFF Statutes which stipulated that only the NFF can invite their chairman to feature in such an exercise and since this was not the case, he will beg to decline the invitation.
The letter to the Master Plan Committee Secretary further warned: “Imo FA would be contravening our Association Football rules which could attract severe sanction if we do otherwise.”
Interestingly, NFF President Amaju Pinnick was the one who personally nominated 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi to replace NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi on the Master Plan Committee recently.
Uchegbulam’s withdrawal should not come as a surprise because www.insideglasshouse.com has severally reported that a majority of the State FA Chairmen, who dominate the Nigeria Football polity, are not comfortable with the Master Plan Committee.
The FA Chairmen claim they have not been fully represented on the committee and they also suspect a personal agenda against the NFF leadership.
However, Sports Minister Sunday Dare has taken great pains to say he and the NFF are on the same page as it concerns the Master Plan Committee.
What is the meaning of Government lnterference, why must government put money somewhere but can’t check how the money is spent, that is stupidity, nobody is stupid. NFF knows how to collect money from the government but can’t account to government. It’s only Corrupt administrators who will support that.