Chairman of Nigeria National League, NNL, George Aluo has advocated government hands-off in running football club sides, saying that clubs will be better managed by private individuals and communities, BSNSports.com.ng reports.
The NNL boss, who expressed satisfaction with the success recorded by the country’s second-tier league since he took over, more priority, should be placed on community-based clubs and private ownership.
“It’s unfortunate that governments are still managing professional club sides in this country, and our football can never grow with government ownership of clubs. All we need to do and encourage is to have community-based clubs and private ownership of club sides, and things will begin to change.
“When you look at Remo Stars that are privately owned, you will discover that the club is well managed without government subvention. Even at the NNL, Sporting Supreme flies their players to match venues, and yet it’s owned by an individual. So, we must discourage government involvement in our football.”
The NNL boss while appreciating the Chairman of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for the opportunity given to him to serve, identified a paucity of funds as the greatest challenge facing his board just as he appealed to corporate organisations to take interest in NNL to make the country’s lower league stronger and attractive.
“I must continue to express my appreciation to Alhaji Gusau for finding me worthy to serve as NNL chairman and a board member of the NFF.
“My appeal is that corporate organizations should come to our aid and do what GTI is doing for the NPFL.
“We’re not saying they should give us money to put in our pockets, let them take care of referees’ indemnity and once this is done, the referees will not be intimidated but rather be at their best and it will now be possible for teams to be winning on the road as is presently being witnessed in the NNL.”