By: Gracious Akujobi
A two-man delegation from world football-governing body, FIFA will fly into Nigeria on Monday for useful deliberations with the top hierarchy of the Nigeria Football Federation on the upcoming Goal Project 2 – the construction of National Technical Centre in Bauchi.
The team, to consist of Francesco Brescoli and FIFA’s Development Officer for West Africa, Sampon Kablan, will also hold discussions with NFF chieftains on available administrative, coaching and
refereeing courses in the remaining part of the year and 2014.
Messrs Brescoli and Kablan will be received at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Tuesday morning by NFF President Aminu Maigari, as well as Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme (acting General Secretary), Dr. Mohammed
Sanusi (Director of Competitions), Idris Adama (Director of Marketing), Jarafu Mamza (Director of Finance), Ademola Olajire (Assistant Director, Media), Bola Oyeyode (Head of International), Sunday Okayi (Head of Referees Unit) and Dr. Christian Emeruwa (special assistant to General Secretary).
After discussions with the NFF President, the FIFA team will hold meetings with relevant NFF schedule officers and then visit the Sunday Dankaro Football House, before flying to Bauchi on Wednesday together with top NFF officials, to see the land that has been allocated to the NFF by the Bauchi State Government for the building of the Technical Centre.
The delegation is expected to pay a courtesy call on the Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda on Wednesday evening, before returning to Abuja on Thursday. While Brescoli is expected to fly back to Europe on Thursday night, Abidjan-based Kablan will fly out of Lagos on Friday.
NFF’s Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, said: “We are ready to receive the FIFA team, and we have all documents ready concerning the land that has been allocated to us by the Bauchi State
Government for the construction of the National Technical Centre.
“I must also reiterate here that the NFF has approached the governments of Lagos and Anambra States as well for allocation of land for similar purpose. Once the centre in Bauchi is ready, we will move
to develop the sites in Lagos and Anambra States without further delay. We have that assurance from FIFA.”
