Against the backdrop of the crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation, football administrator Yemi Idowu called for sweeping reforms from the grassroots to the national level, in this INTERVIEW with ‘TANA AIYEJINA
As a member of the 10-year football plan panel, are you surprised at the catastrophe that has hit Nigeria football and its administrators?
No, I’m not surprised. I think it’s unfortunate that it has happened, but we’re now taking corrective steps. And it’s very important that as we take these corrective steps, we don’t make the same mistake again. So, the people who were in charge before, we have to thank them for their efforts. They’ve tried their best. And it’s now for us to move forward and not forget the past, and move on. But the next step now is not to make the same mistake again. Football is actually very easy. The first thing to do is try and enjoy your football. You don’t have to win at all costs. Make sure you invest in the football and you get your return. But if you don’t invest, you don’t do the work and you think you’ll get a return, this is what’s going to happen.
The Federal Government has instituted reforms in the sports sector as well. What’s your assessment of the government’s drive to improve the fortunes of the country’s football?
