Overbearing interference and lack of interest from corporate Nigerians have been identified as part of the problems affecting the effective growth and development of the nation’s football, as well as the league system.
While featuring on Kwara State Television Service programme, AM Drive this morning, the Chairman of Kwara United Football Club, Kumbi Titiloye said that these factors and many others have greatly affected the apex league, the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Kumbi described football as business, arguing that the necessary leverages and growth can only be witnessed in the system once it’s seen as such, as the right people will be fixed in appropriate places, instead of appointing people based on political patronages.
“Footabll is business, and the day we reckon with this realization, and begin to put the right people in the right places instead of considerations based on political patronages, we will get the right results.
On Kwara United Football Club, he said that the club has achieved a lot in the period under review, including its participation in the 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup competition, adding that the target in the forthcoming season was to win the league.
He commended the state government, under the keadership of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for supporting the team, and for providing the right atmosphere for the club to flower and flourish.
“We were to start from the Nigeria National League (NNL) in 2019/2020 season, but the Governor bought us a Premier League space, and since then, we have placed fourth twice in the last two seasons, and was forced unto the fourth position in 2020/2021 season owing to board room politics. So far, we have not lost a match at home.
“Despite playing in the continent for the first time after 15 years, we did not disappoint at all, as we lost on away goal rule to the defending champions and Champion of Champions in Africa, RS Berkane of Morocco.
“Our plan was to make Kwara United FC a model for other Club’s, and our tradition has a lot to do with it. The first step was to make sure the brand is attractive. We play good brand of football, and that’s our unique selling point.
“Part of our strives was to continue to run the club professionally, prioritise welfare and wellbeing, encourage private sponsorship and partnership, just like we have had with Dickalo Water Company and 22Bet, as government alone cannot shoulder all the responsibilities.
“While commending the Supporters, Fans and followers of the club, as well as the stakeholders for their support, he pledged to continue to make Kwarans proud of the club, which he described as one of the symbols of unity for the state.
