A well-written analysis of the Presidency-NFF-FIFA tango

http://ww2.guardiannewsngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16203:presidential-inconsistency-on-football&catid=37:editorial&Itemid=612

Exceprts

BY rescinding the decision to withdraw Nigeria’s football teams from participating in international tournaments for two years, President Goodluck Jonathan may have staved off a major setback in the nation’s sports sector. But the volte-face, coming barely five days after the original decision, and only a few minutes to the implementation of a threat by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) to suspend the country, raises questions of managerial competence.
For instance, was the decision well considered before it was taken? Or was it an impromptu decision taken on the spur of the moment to pacify Nigerians who were let down by the appalling performance of the Super Eagles in South Africa? Did the president develop cold feet following FIFA’s threat? Was the President misled into banning the team in the first place? And was the change of mind meant to correct the mistaken decision? These issues need to be publicly addressed, in order to restore local and international confidence in our ability to run football affairs responsibly. At the moment, that confidence, if it existed at all, has been thoroughly shaken.

The ban was apparently based on the recommendation of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the World Cup, headed by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who said the PTF felt “we should sit back and look inward”, after “all sorts of problems” at the World Cup.

Such suspension, according to FIFA Communications Director, Nicolas Maingot, would extend to all Nigerian teams (including the Female Under 20 team which is billed to participate in a tournament in Germany this month.
FIFA also threatened to freeze financial assistance to the NFF. The reaction of the world football body is predictable as it has always frowned at any form of government interference in football administration.

Clearly, the Presidency had good reason to be upset by the country’s woeful performance in World Cup 2010 and therefore to wield the big stick. However, government’s reaction appeared to be hasty and not borne out of any well-thought-out plan to redress the anomaly. Unfortunate as this was, this is a stance that is all too common in this country. Nigerian leaders tend to act first, before considering the import of their actions.
Otherwise, government should have fully considered whether it was ready to contend with FIFA ban including the suspension of financial aid and of Nigerian FIFA officials. We believe that the ban was hasty and amounted to an overkill.

In any case, the President’s decision was not far-reaching enough, considering that the perceived failure in Nigerian football is itself a reflection of the decay in virtually all spheres of our public life, including politics and governance. The rot is widespread and systemic. It is a big relief that the decision has been reviewed. What government should now do is to focus on its initial promise to develop Nigerian football and “put its house in order.” The senior national team should be disbanded and a new team constituted made up of skilful and talented footballers. The NFF administration is inept and corrupt. Government must explore all possible means to encourage a desirable and productive change, mindful of FIFA rules.
The country should put in place immediately, a machinery for developing grassroots football and discover the hidden talents in the country. The expected new football administration should address recurring issues of developing the local league, providing training facilities and grooming local coaches, as part of efforts to restore the glory of Nigerian football.

we should be happy that this man has football heart. if na hausa president the guy no go let fifa do anything