SECTION ONE
It all began with the signing of a partnership agreement between the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and the Spanish La Liga, a collaboration that quickly metamorphosed into a great football deal cum bilateral relationship leading to the official opening of the La Liga office in Abuja, and support to the IDPs in Maiduguri via Elkanemi Warriors FC.
In a gain-gain move and situation monitoring, La Liga again extended invitation to the NPFL All Stars to play against some clubs in Spain and also, to participate in the Carranza Pre-Season tournament, a great opportunity to expose our players at the global stage. It was also an avenue to boost the capacity of the Club Managers through seminars and workshops.
Even when some soccer pundits never believed it would come to reality, the LMC immediately announced commencement of selection of coaches, players as well as accompanying officials for the tour.
Thereafter, in less than four weeks, all arrangements have been concluded; players were selected, called to camp, re-screened and the final list of players released. Also released were the list of technical officials, members of the Club Owners, LMC Support Staff, top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and accompanying journalists. All these were done through careful selection.
The biggest surprise of the tour was the speedy issuance of visas to the contingent by the Spanish Embassy, a situation which had never been experienced in the past. No doubt the cordial relationship established by the keadership of the LMC and the Spanish Embassy. Many thanks to the Ambassador.
As a member of the contingent, we set out for the journey on the 8th of August through the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, on board the Royal Air Maroc, through Morocco enroute Madrid in Spain. Special thanks to Emma Ayanbumi and Dayo Enebi of the Protocol Department of the NFF, they were great.
As we stepped down at the airport in Madrid, the La Liga officials were all on ground to give us a near presidential reception, took us to the shuttle trains, provided us with superb air-conditioned buses, and to the train that took us to Valencia.
They provided us with all the services needed by our contingent and on time too, with the highest degree of courtesy.
On arrival in Valencia, another set of La Liga officials were already on ground with air conditioned buses with which we were conveyed to their official hotel, named NH.
At the hotel, our keys and files as well as programme of events were handed over to us with our names written on them. There was no delay in checking-in even as our foods were waiting for us in the restaurant. The dinning tables were designated and marked separately for officials, players and technical team respectively.
As programmed, all the buses and Protocol Officials always arrive one hour before any movement (whether for trainings, matches or even for seminars) and they will move at exactly 8.00 am as planned, same as their trains which never wait for anyone.
The same treatment was what we got all through our stay, until they finally took us to the Madrid Airport for our journey back home.
SECTION TWO
During our stay in Spain, the NPFL All Stars team played three matches, the first against Valencia, which they lost 2-1, against Malaga, which they also lost 4-1 and against Athletico Madrid, which the Madrid-based team won by 2-1. They lost all the three matches, conceeded eight goals and scored three. (one na own goal sha)
Although many thought that we could have won at least one of the matches or even get a draw, but that was not the mission of the contingent to Spain.
The matches played by the team were great exposure for the players and coaches to top European teams and scouts as well as an opportunity to prepare the players ahead of the next CHAN Championship.
Again, it afforded the coaches the platform to fraternize with their foreign counterparts, cross-fertilize ideas on new techniques, and as well exchange contacts, aside putting Nigeria domestic football league in the global football map.
More importantly, the trip exposed our League Club Chairmen and Managers on how best to manage their respective clubs, using the clubs in Spain as case studies.
The seminars and lectures attended by the contingent, if implemented, will no doubt bring about a positive radical change in the style of management and administration of the league and club football in Nigeria.
Our officials were groomed on how best to put in place a proper football club management structure, we were also taught how to develop and breed players from ages six and eight, and up to playing for the main team. We were taken round the facilities, and also taught us how to maintain facilities, including pitches.
There were also lectures of club financing, development of fans base, television and broadcast, sponsorship to developing a strong football culture amongst the players, fans and the community.
In all, we were taught all what made the La Liga one of the best leagues in the world and I do hope that we will maximize the advantages from this capacity building to impact positively in our domestic league in Nigeria.
Some of the things I learned from the trip and the people of Spain were that:-
1- The people are hospitable and appreciate genuine visitors.
2- Virtually everyone is busy and there is job satisfaction and dignity of labour.
3- They are law abiding and crime rate is very low. Even when you give them money they hardly collect and whatever you have in your room remained as you kept them.
4- They are advanced in technology and that has a very big multiplier effect on their transportation and agriculture, including infrastructure.
5- They are conscious about time and quick in doing things and that is shown in how they play football too.
6- They are sentimentally attached to their clubs and the clubs' pattern of play is taught to the players to reflect their cultural heritage. Infact one of the fans told me that " as death separates husband and wife, death cannot separate me with Cadiz FC".
7- We were told that just like the usual differences between the clubs and FA here in Nigeria, that they face similar challenges too but they try to manage such situations .
8- They are very passionate about the game of football and so addicted to their clubs that no matter the result of any game, they would keep supporting till the end.
9- Bread, Bread, Bread, vegetables and fruits and milk and butter and juices and nuts hmmmmm na their food be dat. 'No swallow' no salt, no pepper for their food.
By and large, it was a worthwhile experience. Even you who did not travel to Spain, I believe that from what you have read here you can make use of the experience we shared to cause a positive improvement in our league.
In Summary I believe that a lot is still needed to be done to improve our league system borrowing from the Laliga experience.
Our clubs need to focus more on how to put a proper working structure that will support the growth of club football taking into consideration the commercial avenues to be self sustaining, improve on development of fans base and develop quality players and coaches that can attract fans to the stadia.
We should also build a strong football culture devoid of win at all cost syndrome . We must start now by doing things that will discourage government ownership and control of football clubs and begin the transition to community and private ownership of clubs as seen in Spain.
On the other hand the organizers of the League LMC must ensure that the league is organized in line with international best practices by raising the commercial value of the league sponsorship and TV broadcast right to earn more revenue that will encourage good organization, participation and competition.
They should ensure that facilities approved for hosting of matches are of better standard and can guarantee security of fans and quality play.
Also ensure that Officiating which is one of our major problems is guaranteed via provision of sponsorship and special welfare packages and adequate security for the Referees with severe sanctions for the erring ones.
In the interim, the LMC should take over some responsibilities at the league centers by organizing special security for the officials, provide their accommodation and feeding and other logistic as well as reducing or ensure minimal access by club officials to the Referees.
The LMC should also ensure strict adherence to the provisions of the Rules and it's implementation to the fullest.
They should ensure that the players and coaches are given special protection by supervising all contractual agreements entered into with the clubs.
On the other hand, the federation NFF should try as much as it can to give some degree of independence to the League body to take decisions in the best interest of the league without undue interference.
Because of our peculiar situation the appointment and placement of match officials should be done in conjuction with the league to avoid discrepancies like re-appointment of Referees who are in black book of the league.
We must also avoid the appointment of referee assessors and match commissioners from same state with the Referees, while members of the Referees and match commissioners appointment committees should be stopped from been appointed as match commissioners or assessors. ( because you cannot send your own report to yourself for scrutiny).
With the support of all well-meaning stakeholders in football, we can take our league to a greater height and compete favorably with other organized leagues of the World including Spanish Laliga.
May God bless Nigeria, NFF,LMC and the Club Owners.
Alloy Chukwuemeka( Executive Secretary Club Owners Association Nigeria)
Special commendation to all members of the delegation who conducted themselves well in Spain as good ambassadors of Nigeria, hardworking LMC boss Mallam Shehu Dikko, Alh. Ahmed Fresh, Barr. Chris Green, Barr. Isaac Danladi, Hon. Nduka Irabor, Hon. Nuhu Danbuaran, Alh. Kabiru Baita, Alh. Mala Zana Kakaje, Hon. Isa Matori, Dr. Isaac Ayodele, Alh. Salihu Abubakar, Mr Godwin Enakhena, High Chief Emeka Inyama, Mr Chukwuma Ubah, Chief Okey Kpalikwu, Barr. Tunji Brown (Owu), Mr Jude Anyadufu, Mr Etu Moses, Mr Harry Iwuala, Mr Niyi Oyeleke, Mr Fred Edoreh, Mallam Ibrahim Danbatta , Mr Nobert Okoli, Mr Ayo Ibidapo,China Acheru, coach Salisu Yusuf, coach Abdul Maikaba, coach Imama Amakakarpo, coach Ike Shorumi and host of other technical officials and players( special recognition for Abdulrahman Bashir and Ikechukwu Ezenwa)
Haka!
Alloy Chukwuemeka (A.C.C) is the GM of ABS Ilorin FC and Secretary General of Nigeria Club Owners Forum.
He writes from Ilorin.
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