The Kwara State Football Association has defended it’s decision to suspend Architect Olubunmi Komolafe, popularly known as Dickalo from all football matters henceforth, even as the body calls for absolute understanding.
The FA suspended Dickalo, who is the Proprietor and Chairman of Dickalo Football Academy for breaching rules, as he organised a Novelty match without properly informing the State Football Association.
Reacting to the development, the FA Chairman, Mallam Idris Abdullahi Musa said that football is guided by rules and regulations, which must be followed, to preserve the sanctity of the game.
“It wasn’t a straightforward thing, as we gave him the opportunity to defend his actions. He was referred to the Committee to explain his side of the story, but he didn’t honour the invitation in two ocassions, but has been participating in football matters while under suspension.
“We respect each and every stakeholder, and we respect and appreciate their sacrifice and contributions to the development of the round leather game, but there are equally procedures that must be followed.
“He wasn’t the only stakeholder that participated in the said match, and wasn’t the only one invited to explain himself. Even the referees who were involved honoured the invitation and also tendered an apology.
“Any activity in and around football organisation has to be done the right way by any affiliate of the FA, even if they are Novelty matches. Afterall, registered referees were used.
“We have no issue whatsoever, with anybody or association involved in the organisation of the match, except those that are our affiliates.
“The rules are clear, and asides making the rules and regulations available to the stakeholders through the Local Football Councils, we wrote all our affiliates on the issue of involving or participating in football activities not known to the FA, because of unforseen eventualities, particularly those that are attended by VIPs.
“In a letter by the FA, which we circulated to all affiliates, organizations, clubs, private sector and government agencies, they were prohibited from organising football competitions within Kwara State without the explicit consent and approval of the Kwara State Football Association.
According to the Chairman, popularly known as Thuraya, the reasons are to maintain standards and quality of competitions in the state, and to protect the interest of players, officials and stakeholders.
“The letter warned that they must obtain written approval from the Kwara State Football Association before doing so, which wasn’t the case in the issue under review.
“To tell you the level of respect we have for Dickalo, we didn’t make his suspension public, because we want him to understand our situation, until he disgraced himself in Offa, when he wanted me, as the Chairman of the FA to decorate him with a medal after the final. It’s not done. He is still under suspension, and would need to clear himself first.
“On that same day he did that, he forwarded a letter to the FA apologising for failing to honour our invitation, asking for it to be rescheduled. It’s a matter of time.
In an online reaction, Dickalo said that there’s a robust relationship between Dickalo FA, its management and Kwara State Football Association.
According to him, Thuraya was the first person that I called to notify him of the Novelty match to honour coach Zubair, adding that the story was misleading and confusing.
