Buhari woos FIFA on support, investment

President Muhammadu Buhari has told FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF) presidents that his administration is committed to using football for the development of the girl-child and inspiring young people to having a rewarding career in the game.

President Buhari while welcoming a delegation of world’s football governing body, FIFA led by its president, Gianni Infantino, as well as, that of the CAF Patrice Motsepe, at the State House on Thursday, also called on the sport’s leaders to see Nigeria as one of its greatest assets when it comes to the development of football.

The FIFA-led delegation is in the country for the Aisha Buhari Cup (ABC).

The six-nation Aisha Buhari Invitational Football Tournament is FIFA-graded which means result of matches will affect overall team rankings.

The President also told the visiting FIFA President, that since 2017 his administration had adopted football as a national asset.

On women’s football, Buhari expressed delight that Nigeria has produced excellent role models to inspire the next generation of stars to take up the sport.

“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 Perpetua Nkwocha, Mercy Akide-Udoh, Nkiru Okosieme and Ann Chiejiene are globally recognized stars,” he said.

Buhari, therefore, urged the world football governing body to consider Nigeria top on its plan for support and investment.

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

“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,” he said.

On the Aisha Buhari Cup (ABC), with the theme “Playing for Good”, which is on-going in Lagos, the Nigerian leader said the tournament could not have come at a better time.

“This Women’s football competition is a novel idea here and I am sure it will be exciting in its execution for our women folk and lovers of football. ‘It is also a confirmation of what we already know about our women,’’ he said.

The President thanked FIFA for making ABC, a ranking tournament, adding that he looks forward to more countries joining to participate in the future.

Remarking, Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare said Nigeria, as the leading black nation in the world, was central to all that FIFA is seeking to achieve in its football development plan.

“We love football and we follow the game passionately,” he said.

In his remarks, Infantino renewed FIFA’s commitment to support the development of football in Nigeria, pledging to strengthen its partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation.

“Nigeria is a big football playing country. We need Nigeria to lead the football movement in the world, together with Africa as a continent,’’ he said.

The FIFA President thanked President Buhari for supporting the development of the game, appealing to him to help FIFA amplify the message of football as a uniting force.

“When football is played there are no divisions in a nation or continent. Football brings people together and to do that we need important countries like Nigeria,” he said.