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•Says his investment ‘ll boost domestic football
By Joe Apu
Task Force Chairman of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria, Harrison Jalla has called on billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote to shift his interest from owning football clubs abroad to the domestic football circles.
Jalla, in a statement made available to Daily Sun Sports on Tuesday, noted that it is interesting that the billionaire is linked to the purchase of English Premiership side, Arsenal as well as French French Ligue 2 side, Valenciennes but says that while Africa’s richest man can do what he likes with his money, he should also consider buying Kano Pillars Football Club because charity begins at home.
“It’s mind boggling to always be reading that Africa’s Richest Man, Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote is trying to buy a foreign club. This time around it is rumoured that he is interested in buying French league 2 side, Valenciennes. Charity they say begins at home.
“The Ibrahim Gusau led NFF Board is changing the narrative of Nigeria’s domestic football in his short spell in office with absolute support to the Gbenga Elegbeleye led IMC which has already repositioned the NPFL for both foreign and local investment. The Dangote group, a massive beneficiary of the Nigerian Economy, should change its stand and invest in Nigeria’s domestic football so as to open the floodgate to both foreign and local investors.
“Kano Pillars FC has more followership than the biggest football club in France, Paris St. Germaine (PSG). There are too many Nigerian billionaires interested in buying foreign clubs, they should reconsider those business interests and bring those investments back home,” he stressed.
Jalla further stated that this is an appeal. “The Nigerian Football Ecosystem is now able, willing and ready for investment. Nigeria’s Football industry potential is huge particularly now that there is a sports Industry policy in place.”
