FIFA CLUB PROFESSIONAL AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME BEGINS IN ABUJA

A two-day FIFA Club Professionalism and Management Programme workshop kicked on in Nigeria's Federal Capital, Abuja on Tuesday, with the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON) charging the participants to devote attention to the various sessions in order to improve their knowledge and understanding of the game, with a view to improving the domestic leagues. In a message delivered by the NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, Gusau maintained that the Nigeria Football Federation has been intentional in impressing it on the Clubs that they must work hard towards financial sustainability, and generally contribute to making the football ecosystem better for all stakeholders to be proud of the industry. “This workshop will go a long way in getting the message across in more profound manner, that the leagues and club football are the lifeblood of a nation’s sport, and that significant contributions to the Gross Domestic Product of our country can only happen through the activities and the gravitas that the leagues and clubs are able to establish to generate direct, indirect and induced income.” The vice chairman of Nigeria Premier Football League board, Alhaji Mohammed Nasir Saidu, represented the NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, who is also the NFF 2nd Vice President. Participants include Chairmen and CEOs of the 20 Clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League, Chairmen and CEOs of the NPFL, NNL, NWFL and the NLO, as well as some top officials of the NFF. The sessions on Tuesday focused on strategic planning and finance. Wednesday’s sessions will be on governance and commercial and marketing.