NFF BOSS DREAMS MORE GOLD IN 2011, AGM HOLDS TODAY
WITH the Annual General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) holding today in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, president of the body, Aminu Maigari, has said that his administration would go the extra mile to bring smiles to the faces of soccer loving Nigerians in 2011.
The conclusive part of the NFF 2010 Annual General Assembly, which was earlier scheduled for yesterday, was moved to today following the Federal Government's declaration of Monday and Tuesday as public holidays.
Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Maigari said his board would intensify efforts to ensure that the country's national teams record more successes in the coming year, stating that the successes recorded in the outgoing year would be improved upon.
'In this outgoing year, football was able to make some impact, even though we could have done better,' Maigari said. 'The Super Falcons was able to reclaim the African Women Championship title in South Africa for the sixth time and that gave Nigeria automatic ticket to the Women's World Cup in Germany 2011.
'Just before then, our female U-20 team, the Falconets, put up a very brilliant performance at the U-20 Women World Cup in Germany by playing in the final. It was the first time an African women team would qualify to play in the final of a FIFA-organised competition. The Super Eagles also got a bronze in the Africa Nations Cup in Angola.
'Like I said, the country could have done more in football but due to certain things. As we march into the New Year, the NFF board will do everything within its limit to achieve more results for the country.
'We have the All Africa Games football event ahead and the Super Falcons will participate in the FIFA World Cup in Germany. We also have the African Youth Championship coming up in Libya. Our primary assignment is to prepare the teams very well for the competitions so that the results will come.'
The NFF boss, some members of his executive committee and principal officers of the secretariat flew into Uyo just before 2.00p.m yesterday, as delegates from the Football Associations (FAs) of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) also converged on the smart and serene capital of Akwa Ibom State.
The first part of the 2010 Annual General Assembly held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja on August 26, but only the elections into the NFF executive committee were dealt with. Today's assembly comprises the chairmen and secretaries of the FAs of the 36 states and the FCT, representatives of the leagues (Nigeria Premier League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women's League and Nigeria Amateur League), representatives of referees, coaches and players' unions.
Associate/consultative members include the National Sports Commission, Senate Committee on Sports, House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Police, National Association of Physical, Health Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance (NAPHER.SD), Inter-Collegiate, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Football Supporters Club and the Nigeria School Sports Federation.
The programme at the Meridian Hotel, Uyo, will be preceded by a welcome address by Maigari, before the presentation of his activity report and presentation of the consolidated and revised balance sheet and the profit-and-loss statement.
The General Assembly will also approve the financial statements and the NFF Budget for the Year 2011. It is a heavily loaded year with programmes such as the Africa and FIFA U-20 World Cup competitions (Libya and Colombia respectively), the FIFA Women's World Cup (Germany) and the All Africa Games (Mozambique).
There are as well plenty of tournament preparation events, friendly matches, qualifiers for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Gabon and Equatorial Guinea), qualifiers for the 2012 Olympic Games (London), beach soccer and futsal competitions and other critical programmes, activities and events.
There will also be discussion of proposals submitted by members of the executive committee, appointment of independent auditors and any further item proposed by the executive committee of the NFF.