Says, Nigeria should look beyond 2015 AFCON failure
BY SOLAPE LAWAL-SOLARIN
The history of Nigeria’s football and, in deed, that of the West-Africa sub-region, as well as Africa at large, will be incomplete without mentioning the contributions of iconic sports administrator and former FIFA and CAF Executive member, Dr. Amos Adamu.
A former lecturer, his passion for sports drove him to abandon the lecture room to pursue his dream of developing sports, particularly, football, both at domestic and international levels. As a civil servant, he rose through the ranks in the nation’s sports ministry to retire as the Director-General of the National Sports Commission with a record of landmark achievements. In 1992, he was appointed as the sole-administrator of Nigerian Football Association, a position that would pave way for his meteoric rise into the executive arms of the continental and world football governing bodies.
For more than four years, Dr. Adamu has been silent on football matters, even after serving off the three-year suspension placed on him by FIFA over bribery allegations.
However, vintage Adamu finally broke the silence in this exclusive chat with our correspondent at the recently concluded COPA Lagos International Beach Soccer tournament, his pet project, mid-wifed by his son, Samson.
He spoke on a number of issues, including Nigeria’s failure to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, Copa Lagos and the future of beach soccer in Nigeria, among others. Excerpts!
Sir, Copa Lagos is in its fourth edition, are you satisfied with the progress of the project so far?
You said four years, right? Well is too short to get excited. I won’t give myself an applause yet, but maybe words of encouragement. We have a long term plan for this tournament, and four years is just too short to celebrate.
But I am impressed with its stability. It is now gaining recognition within Nigeria, Africa and on the international stage. So, we only have to improve on it, till we get to where we want it to be.
What about the quality of play from the participating teams?
The quality of play exhibited by the invited teams has been good. I am impressed with the participation of all teams that were invited to this year’s edition of the competition. Like I said earlier, we are not there yet, we still have to improve on the whole event. But overall, the quality exhibited by the teams has been so far, so good.
What are your plans to improve COPA LAGOS?
Well, we want to improve the overall quality of the event and also increase the level of competition. How are we going to do this? By inviting more quality teams, and also expanding our reach that would involve more corporate sponsorship from the corporate world. I hope next year will be bigger and better.
What does the future hold for beach soccer in Africa?
The future is bright. You can see the level of competitiveness among the African teams on parade hence the game will only continue to gain prominence. Don’t forget that beach soccer is new to the continent, but thanks to COPA LAGOS, the game is gradually making inroad into Africa. We have nothing to worry about; soccer is a popular game on the continent, so beach soccer is just a version, it will go places.
What about Nigeria?
Yes, the country is a force to be reckon with in the game on the continent. Talents are abound for us to tap into. This country is crazy for soccer. We don’t have any problem when it comes to getting players to represent the country.
There are plans to organize a league that will see clubs compete locally, all in the bid to help the country groom and nurture players for the Sand Eagles.
We also have plans to create an African Championship next year, it’s in the pipeline and we will work on it.
Sir, what is your take on Super Eagle’s AFCON failure?
It is football. That is the bitter truth about the game. You win some and lose some. We need to look beyond AFCON failure.
What is the way forward for Nigeria after the Eagle’s debacle?
This is purely football matter for those there. I am not in the position to talk. But, if you insist, they should go back to the drawing board, identify where they got it wrong, and avert such errors again. But, like I told you, it is football, we can’t win every time.
Sir, do you have any regrets in your football administrative career?
Nope, not at all, I harbor no regrets over the years I have spent as an administrator in the game. I look back, and I appreciate and relish the moments and experiences I gathered over the years.
Should Nigerians be expecting a comeback from you?
A comeback! I don’t know what the future holds. But for now, am happy with being off the scene.
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