Chairman, League Management Committee (LMC) Shehu Dikko, in this interview with Niyi Alebiosu in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, speaks on his experiences and expectations.
What would be your idea on Nigerian league having been at the helm of affairs for quite some time now?
I had always dreamt to have a league that is very good in all aspect of our football technically, commercially,and economically; the idea of a league all over the world is to have one that is for it, to be an economy on its own, you use the league as a platform not only as entertainment but to create a conducive atmosphere and economy activities around it.
If you look at the league globally these days it is not about the people playing football, but it’s all about the economy of the country in such a situation whereby the league can produce job for the people in different areas so as to boost the economy, that is what we are looking at the LMC. It is not just about football.
Technically, football is the very key we have to put all that is needed in place. Its infrastructure has to be in good shape, welfare of the players is also very important, the organisation of the league is very important but most importantly we must look at how the league can boost the Nigerian economy, create jobs as there are over 38 industries or opportunities around the league, and this we must tap into to create employment. So in such case, you are contributing your quota to development and growth of your country and this is what we are looking at in the LMC, we will keep developing the league and create commercial activities around it.
Would you say the Nigerian league is there in view of the innovations you have introduced into it?
No, no no, even the best the league in the world are not there yet, they are always striving to do more, to do better and always developing new ideas and strategy, new ways of doing things just to improve. So, we need to keep improving in all aspects, we need to be on top there in Africa before we start competing with the global league. We cannot deceive ourselves, we are there? No, In all aspects of the league, we just have to keep improving.
How will you say the trip to Spain last year has helped in the development of Nigerian league?
Well, in a way, I will say this has really paid off, with the signing of Enyimba International player by Barcelona FC. The same player was in the team that went on tour of Spain with other players from the local league and our partnership with La Liga, has started yielding results. I am so optimistic that with success of the player (Bassey Ezekiel) in the league, many more clubs will be interested in our players, and also other leagues across the globe will now be interested in our league, so I will say the trip to Spain has helped and will record more success.
The trip is all about the developmental strategy for our league, and also try to add value to the league, we try as much as possible to expose our people here to the best practices globally, and we still have to do things better and see how we can also use our association and relationship with La Liga, (the best league in the world) and also keep others eyes fixed on us and create awareness around our league so that they will know that the Nigerian league is still good and so that they can have the opportunity of working with La Liga.
When we went to La Liga, there were multifacet businesses, there were training programmes, capacity development programmes, contacts networking, we attended conferences and we were also open to new ideas.
Even the coaches were more exposed, so by the time we returned to the country, we were more exposed and had more confidence in ourselves than before.
One of the biggest problem we have is, getting pockets of Nigerians to support this league rather than supporting foreign leagues as it is now the trend. When we have people to support us, then we can have the opportunity to get more value and people will be willing to put their money in it. We need to put our league on this platform because, if La liga is promoted then we can get so much value and get more interest but we hope to be better and better. We need to put our league on this platform.
How do you think you (LMC) will address the issue of club not paying their players’ salaries and match bonuses as at when due?
We are gradually coming out of that, but even at that, we have to look at the clubs, this year it has been minimal but even at that, we look at the club that have not been paid whether they belong to the government or they are having issues and you will agree with me that even government are having issues paying their workers.
The effort we are putting together is to make sure that we have many private bodies supporting our league and there is more money on the table physically and be strategic in the payment of the players. We have been in a situation before where the chairman of a club looted the club’s fund. So we want to talk to the clubs and ask them to be more creative and to generate alternative revenue resources for themselves.
Also we want to generate commercial activities generally. We are 90 per cent on this so we still have the avenue for such. All the payment that are expected to be received by the players such as the allowances will be paid to them as at when due, so when they get it then, they can do what they like with it, take care of the family, buy house and so on. I have spoken to the governor of Enugu state and others especially those playing continental.
How far have you gone with the sponsorship for the league?
Well during the last season we all knew what happened and we are resolved to embark on massive sponsorship drive for this season which we have started.
But I can assure you that we are working seriously toward actualising this. Already we are discussing with corporate bodies but once it is not yet finalised I cannot disclose their identity. The Star deal took us almost seven months to seal, it is not an easy thing but with various innovations we are putting into the league, I’m sure it will attract better sponsorship deal that all of us will be proud of.
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