Nigerian Football
EKEJI DELIGHTED TO FEATURE IN WORLD CUP SEMINAR
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
One of the best sports technocrat to have come from Nigeria, Chief Patrick Ekeji has confirmed his participation in the landmark World Cup seminar that The Sun Publishing Limited has put together.
The seminar with a general theme: “That Super Eagles may excel in Russia 2018 and beyond” is holding in Port Harcourt on May 22.
Chief Ekeji spoke from the United States to confirm his participation at the seminar. His contribution is bound to add to the robust deliberations expected at the epoch-making seminar. Ekeji’s profile speaks volumes.
Perhaps, apart from the Great Zik, Ekeji is the only other person that had been involved in all facets of sports, especially football.
He was a footballer for clubs and national team having played for both the Vasco da Gama FC and Enugu Rangers as well as the national team, the Green Eagles with which he made a winning debut on July 13, 1975 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo in Brazzaville.
Ekeji was also a coach for both clubs and the national team. Ten years after his Green Eagles debut in Brazzaville, he mounted the saddle as the national team coach in 1985.
Before handling the Green Eagles, he had coached ACB of Lagos where Henry Nwosu was one of his star players.
The University of Nigeria Nsukka graduate of Physical and Health Education later became a lecturer at the Nigeria Institute of Sports teaching football as a discipline and helping to breed another generation of coaches.
He was a sports journalist, writing column for The Punch newspapers in the early 1980s. He administered sports at the state level in Imo before coming to the national level.
At the national level, Ekeji rose through the ranks heading various departments – Research and Documentation, Facilities, etc. – before getting to the zenith as Director General. The novel idea in creating Team Nigeria is one indelible mark that he made on Nigerian sports. It is also on record that it was during his tenure as the Director of Sports that Nigeria eventually topped the medals’ table at the All Africa Games after previous seven attempts.
According to the Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Eric Osagie, Ekeji will discuss the paper that the lead speaker, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde will present.
“The seminar is timely”, remarked Ekeji. “Baba Onigbinde is a man that has seen it all in our football. Danladi Bako is a veteran broadcaster that has been involved with football for over three decades. I think we are in for a good event,” Ekeji said.
One of the high points of the Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation on Friday in Asaba is the endorsement of the body’s immediate past president, Amaju Pinnick to retain his position as a FIFA Council member.
Pinnick was elected into FIFA Council at the CAF Congress in Rabat, Morocco on 21 March 2021. He seeks re-election next year and has already secured the backing of the Nigerian president.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has budgeted N17.6 billion for next year. The body’s Congress approved the budget, which sat in Asaba on Friday.
By the current exchange rate, the approved budget is $10,591,610. The figure is higher than the N12 billion that Nigeria budgeted for the Paris 2024 Olympics where no medal was won.
Next year, The NFF programme includes the six remaining qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations which will be held in December if the Super Eagles qualify.
As football leagues across the globe resumed fully last month, the Nigeria Football Federation has announced the launch of NFF Monthly Awards, a celebration of the outstanding performances of Nigerian football players across various Football Leagues including Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.
With the football calendar in full swing, the NFF Monthly Awards aim to honour the brilliance, dedication and passion that Nigerian football players bring to the game, recognizing the top players who have left their mark on the pitch.
Award Categories:
- Player of the Month (Male & Female)
- Goal of the Month
- Discovery of the Month
Nomination Process
According to the NFF, the nomination process for the awards is scientific, ensuring a fair and accurate selection of nominees. An independent organization will collect and analyse players’ statistics throughout the month, ensuring that the best performances are highlighted.
“This unbiased, data-driven approach guarantees that the nominations reflect the top-performing players based on their contribution to their teams”, an NFF statement signed by its director of communication, Dr Ademola Olajire disclosed.
Nominations for the first round of awards will be announced on Thursday. From there, voting will be opened to fans and journalists alike, making this a truly inclusive and engaging event for the Nigerian football community.
Voting Process
Fans and journalists will have the chance to vote for their favourite players via the official NFF voting portal on the website www.thenff.com.
The voting period will run for one week following the announcement of the nominations.
Fan Votes will account for 40% of the final decision, enabling supporters to have their voices heard and directly influence the outcome of these prestigious awards.
The remaining 60% will be determined by journalists and industry professionals, ensuring a balanced and well-rounded selection process.
Speaking on the launch of the awards, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said:
“The NFF Monthly Awards are a key part of our efforts to further elevate Nigeria football, not only by recognizing outstanding talent but by engaging with fans and the media in a way that brings the football community closer together. We believe that this initiative will encourage excellence on the field and foster a deeper connection between players and their supporters.
“The NFF Monthly Awards are a step forward in celebrating the rich and growing talent pool, and we look forward to the excitement that the awards will bring to fans, players and the media.”
Key Dates: Nominations Announcement: 3rd October, 2024; Voting: 3rd October – Midnight of 7th October 2024.
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