I want Nigeria football to be great again - Solanke 

I want Nigeria football to be great again - Solanke 

By Akeem Busari 

The race for the September elections to the board of Nigeria Football Federation is gathering momentum and with more individuals throwing their hats into the ring for the top seat, as the NFF President. 

Determined to bring a breathe of fresher air into the Nigeria football ecosystem, is the consummate sports administrator and entrepreneur, Segun Solanke, who has expressed his strong interest for the NFF presidency. 

Speaking with journalists on his ambition, Solanke, who is coming aboard with the agenda 'One Vision, One Football, One Nigeria', said, "for me this is not about the title of NFF President. It is about what that office can do for Nigerian football and for the millions of Nigerians who live and breathe the game.

"I have seen Nigerian football from different angles as an administrator, as an investor, as a club owner and as somebody working with young athletes.

"And what concerns me is that we have an extraordinary amount of talent, passion and resources, but we have not built a football system that consistently converts those advantages into success."

Solanke opined that qualifying for the World Cup and other international tournaments should not be regarded as the ultimate feat for the country, adding that qualification should be the minimum expectation.

Solanke, who is President and Chief Executive Officer of Provazios Sports Limited, including Olumo United and FC Provazios, disclosed that he is armed with laudable and long terms aimed at repositioning Nigeria as a hub for sports tourism and talent development and includes building a sustainable football infrastructure and ecosystem that helps to create globally competitive athletes.

Solanke, believes there is serious needs to change the narratives of Nigerian football. 

"We have now missed two World Cups in succession, including the recent failure of the Super Falcons to qualify for the World Cup and same, for our age grade teams. We should ask ourselves serious questions about the way we plan and manage our football.

"I want to lead the NFF, because I believe we can build a system that is more professional, transparent and a commercially sustainable one, that develops players from the grassroots, protects the interests of clubs and athletes, strengthens our leagues and gives our national teams the structure they need to compete consistently," remarked. 

"I want Nigerians to once again look at our football administration and believe that there is a clear direction for the game. That is the reason, I am offering myself," Solanke said. 

Reaffirming his commitment to the development and betterment of Nigerian football, Solanke believes his almost three decades in the corporate world that spans the banking, real estate and mining industry, as well as, his experience in sports administration and management, puts him in a strong stead to take Nigerian football to desired heights.