New Vision for Akwa Ibom Football Development As FA Chairman Commits to Business-Driven Approach

New Vision for Akwa Ibom Football Development As FA Chairman Commits to Business-Driven Approach

In this excerpt, the Akwa Ibom state Football Association Chairman, Samuel Umoh explained in details what he will do to turn around the game in the state. 

Before now, I have been in the board of Akwa Ibom Football Association for eight years. I have been around football and I have been doing football. Actually, I represented Nigeria during my school days and that was World University Games in 2001 and I have played for few teams in Nigeria and did a little bit of professional football in South-East Asia, specifically Singapore. I am back to contribute my quota.

I am happily married with two kids and I love Nigerian football and I wish to contribute the little that I can, to make it work.

Football and Grassroots Development

For me, football should always rest on the grassroots because that is the bedrock. It is also the conveyor belt of the finish products that we are seeing and celebrating. Akwa Ibom State Football Association for instance, ever since we came on board, we have repeatedly said that we are going to always see how we motivate the grassroots knowing fully the importance of grassroots in football development and football economy. If you look at those that we might consider doing the right things, check their grassroots development, they pay serious attention to it and in Akwa Ibom State Football Association, we are looking at how we can emulate that and we will go one step at a time because for us it is a house, it is more difficult to renovate the house than build from the scratch because if you are not careful trying to renovate, it falls flat and becomes a problem. But if you’re building from the scratch you might not have such problem. For Akwa Ibom State Football Association, we are trying to rebuild and we are going one step at a time but we have to be positive and concentious about it and we really have to give it all our push, so that tomorrow we can have the desired results that grassroots is the best. Let me be quick also to say that we are not only saying, we are taking those steps already. Let me start from the one coming in July, we are arranging a coaching course for the grassroots because if these grassroot coaches and talent developers don’t have it right, it means they will under-perform even with those kids. So we are to put them on a proper pedestal to make sure that they transfer and translate the correct ideas, techniques and everything

Recently, we did what has never done in Akwa Ibom State which was secondary school football competition, we call it Akwa Ibom State Secondary School FA Cup. We are looking at building on that because it is not supposed to be a one-off thing but a mainstay. Before then, we have organised seminars for coaches, referees, players and all stakeholders in the football community, because we know that in football, is not only the footballers but it is a very big and wide platform. So we have to make sure that we encourage and open our people’s knowledge in football. It is all encompassing and we need the right people in the right places to be able to take advantage to what is presented to us.

Countering Sharp Practices In Football Development

First and foremost, for me information is key. Create the awareness for all the sectors then secondly, we should move with the world. Yes, Nigerian football is different just like others, we work according to our peculiarity but we must move with the world. And now, how is it done? Through technology, data-driven. With a punch on a botton, you can be able to analyse a player, so it is that easy for me but very difficult for all of us because, we have to understand it, accept it and encourage it. Anything that is new, sometimes it is difficult to accept but if we continue with the awareness and if we are conscious about it, then we can do it. There are no hard measures in football, if you want to be successful and remain relevance, you have to do things the way you are supposed to do it. You can only be as good if you keep doing the right thing at the right time. So for me, it is information

creating the needed awareness, making sure that we run football the way it should be. Open it up, create an enabling environment for even investors. Football should not be run in Nigeria as ‘poverty alleviation programme’, we should see it as business and run it as such by opening it up, create that security for investors to come in having in mind that their investment is secured and they will have return on investment. if we do that, believe me, within a short while, we will start reaping the benefits and also seeing that the Nigerian football is in a better state. For me, those are what I consider some of the basic things to do to get Nigerian football on track again.

Akwa Ibom Football In Years To Come

In the nearest future, we are planning and working to see that Akwa Ibom State Football is heard, known and can compete. Then the long term is to grow and sustain and become economically viable project that will attract more investors, fans and all the things that make up football and makes it a beautiful game. We want to sustain Akwa Ibom State Football and also leave it in a pedestal that is safe and secure. Those are the plans for Akwa Ibom State Football. Our people need to take advantage of what is presented to us. Successive administrations in the state did what many never considered, right now you do not need to be told, you can see what the vision is. I would say that football pendulum swings to Akwa Ibom State for now even in Nigeria, because from what the successive leaders have been able to do and we are very fortunate to have this and if we are fortunate to have this, then we have a lot of work to do by making sure that we take advantage of what days are presented to us and in doing that, it is not only for the footballers but the entirety of the football community that we must have round pecks in round hole and we must have able and qualified individuals to fill those positions that we must also be seen working and doing football just the way it should be. Because one thing is that we must preserve this beautiful game, we must keep it and make sure that successive generations come to see it the way it should be, receive it and then the sky will be the starting point for Akwa Ibom State Football.

Building A System

For us in Akwa Ibom State Football Association, what we are looking at doing and putting together to make sure that we achieve our goals. In that we do not want a situation where we have strong man, we are trying to build a strong system because whether I am there or not someone else can step in there and it works seamlessly. So what I’m talking about is making sure that we have everybody thinking alike and making sure that everyone works towards it. It is not about me or who is there presently but a collective responsibility of everyone. We want to try as much as possible to create because if we can do that, we don’t tie ourselves to just maybe just one source of getting our support. If we are able to open up, to show that we have viable products and we are able to get sponsors, partners and the enablers, I believe if we are open and sincere, it will run itself because when you put your plans on the table and your sponsors, partners and enablers see and reintegrate them, I think it becomes more or less like a seemless flow and with that, you can be rest assured that whether you’re there or not, this will continue.

The Fate of Akwa United, Dakkada FC And Professionals

First and foremost like I always tell people when I’m accosted by this question, Akwa Ibom State Football Association is for all not only for Dakkada or Akwa United. Secondly, why it might seem so is as a result of what I stated earlier, the grassroots. If you look at these players that you’ve mentioned and if you look at those players that we use to have, check their background, they came from the grassroots. I want to believe that there must be a reconnect in making sure the grassroots function effectively to keep bringing out these stars and that is why Akwa Ibom State Football Association is paying particular attention to the grassroots because we need to catch them young, develop and give them platforms to excel and in doing that, we believe that we will have more stars than ever and if you also look at whichever one you consider an example, if you look at it critically, you will realise that there is something that they are doing to the grassroots that is giving them this result. So for Akwa Ibom State Football, we will try as much as possible to do that… Yes, for these teams or Akwa United for instance, I consider that they are a victim of their successes. Before now, Akwa United could have been easily relegated without so much of a force but after Akwa United came, they stayed and began to do things, began to succeed winning league titles, FA Cup and all of that. Now, I would want to think that there would have been things that were done differently to keep it at that level. Just like Nigeria, If you become so successful, and any team coming to play you would try as much as you might have prepared, most times learn from you and in learning from you, it might become a problem because it might end up giving you some shock results. Basically, for these teams I would say it’s because of their successes but there are still a work in progress that is what I will believe and sooner or later because we are beginning to be collective now; to put heads together, ideas together to see how we can develop, sustain and go from there.

Government Support

I would say that the government has always been there with their support because that’s why you have not heard of players or management complaining that they have been owed or whatever. So the teams have always had this massive support from the government. They have almost all what they need to excel but then again, if you do all these and you do not get the result, it means there are things that you probably have to step back, look, re-evaluate and know how to project again. So on that front, the government has continuously given not only Akwa United but the sport sector in Akwa Ibom massive support and encouragement. I think it is high time that the managers, coaches or whoever should begin to take responsibility and be able to live up to expectation because we cannot continue to remain a mediocre team because the spotlight is already on us, so we have to step up the game. Whatever we need to do that is within the rules and the laws, I think should be done and supported.

Managing Club Football In Nigeria – Way Forward

In my own assessment, if you are planning for a long term, you need to have time, support and whatever kind of encouragement. In this case, I would say these things are peculiar to some clubs in Nigeria – You recruit a team, play for the

season, you are good and you are going somewhere and the next season, more than 70 percent of the team is gone and you only have but a short while to put a new team together. Mostly, what I believe should have been done or should be done going forward is to have for the team a roadmap with right the parameters and milestones, so as to develop and grow. What I’m saying in essence is that after the recruitment from the technical to the players, we give them like, three to five years, then effect changes where and when it is necessary, and not just recruiting and playing for the season and after that we go back. Continuity is key. For me, I believe that where the handlers did not get it right is in the recruitment and sustaining those players in keeping the bulk of the team because if you look at both Dakkada and Akwa United, why they struggle is that the teams did not retain the bulk of players that could have helped in experience and in bonding and all of that.

Need For Establishment Of Trust Fund – The Role Of Multi-National Companies

What we are advocating is the establishment of a trust fund for sports, where the multi-national companies that are operating in Akwa Ibom could contribute to a pool that would be used for sport development, football inclusive. And in running the funds, it should not be a politician that oversees that it. If we do that, we can be rest assured that whether this government comes or goes, football and other sports in Akwa Ibom would be well taken care of because it would become a law that this funding is made as at when due and it is transparent enough. So for multi-national companies and others, I want to believe that they have to do more in terms of the deliverables for the community that they operate from. They have to show enough and a lot corporate social responsibility regarding sports because it is a veritable platform that helps the youth, the economy and it equally reduces the crime rates and everything you can think of. It is a win/wi situation for everybody because even then, they will also benefit.

High, Low Points Of 2024/25 Football League Season

The high point for me, is being able to synchronise the league that it starts when it supposed to start and ends when it supposed to end. Again, the integrity of the league that has been brought to another level that will now show to the world that we are ready, particularly that investors can come in, and their investment is safe. The low point for me is not really seeing the real standout performance in the league. What I am saying in essence is before now, you could go to football matches and you have names that you want to watch out and they will perform. We need to do something right in that regard so that we have these kinds of players again and what we have to do right is that we have to also encourage them and not allowing these young men and women being taken out of the league before they are even mature because if they remain here, they contribute for the growth of the league but what I see is that they are too much in a hurry, especially football managers, agents and all of that, to take out our young men and women from the league to other leagues, and sometimes those leagues are not even as good as Nigerian league.

Paying Attention To Players’ Welfare Et Al

The league managers are trying but they have to do more because we have to be transparent in players’ contract. Some teams do sign players that at the end of the season or whenever, the players do not see the contract. The managers or whoever might not even see the contract. So when you sign a contract that is shrouded in secrecy and at the end of the day, if you complain, you are taken as a scapegoat, as a destructive tendency. So the league managers should try as much as possible to look into the players welfare and work with the teams to also see the problems they are facing that is making them not to to succeed. I know that there are mechanisms in place but it has to be strengthened and supported. But for obvious reasons, there are also players that will keep quiet to what they are facing, they should also speak up and demand for better renumeration, and in doing that I think Nigerian league will be better

Greater Government Ownership Of Football Clubs And For Private Involvement

Somebody has to do the job, that is why we have to open up that economy to make it viable, so that we have sponsors, investors coming in to take the league. For now, if it is seen as a government thing, we know how we react to things like that here, I do not need to spell it out.

But if we look at it as a business and we make it viable, we work to strengthen and to stabilise it. I believe that in no distance time, we have people like sport administrators and technocrats doing what they are supposed to do. And we need all the the people who have passion for these things, because for me, I know that if you do what you love to do, even without being paid, you will still be happy and if you now do it and you are paid no matter what you are paid, I beleive you will do even better, and this will encourage others. What I know for a fact is that positive change and changes radiate, whenever it starts, it catches fire, it goes round but first we must have the will to do it and we must stay focused in doing it. It might be difficult starting it but if we are conscious, sincere and dedicated, it is not impossible.

Super Eagles Chance At 2026 World Cup

I'm a Nigerian first and foremost, I have to be optimistic and I am so certain because if there is anything that I know about Nigerians, is the can do spirit. I’m still certain that the supper eagles will qualify for 2026 World Cup. For the recruitment, we have in distance past, grown from underage competitions through putting the grassroots in proper perspective, because most of these players, with due respect to even the professionals, come from there. They understand the league and they have this passion because some of them know that this is an opportunity and there are many others looking for this same opportunity, they have this extra will that pushes them and we could see that they do things that from under 17, to under 20 to under 23 and to the senior level. Those were the progression and it gives them the experience when they play together. But here and now, were we have a little bit of disjointed progression, coupled with the fact that other nations are right behind us and are reeling down our necks and whenever we stumble, we fall hard and in getting up, I would suggest going forward we do not just jumb up but getting up slowly to put the bricks together. Whatever was the missing link or missing point, we put it together and by so doing we will be able to have formidable teams and at the end, it will translate even to the senior national team. Kudos to the guys who are doing well but like we all know, Nigerian football cannot be a magic, we have to be systematic about it, we have to go back to the basics and we have to give ourselves time because anything is time. In Nigeria, sometimes we are not so patient to get things right, but then again we should also try to embrace what others are doing and doing well – use technology, everything is being used to make football a beautiful game that it is and others are reaping and having successes. We should also try to emulate that and not always believing that because we are Nigeria, it will happen.

Uyo as Super Eagles Fortress

It is true like I did mention earlier on, it is the vision of our successive leaders to put that in place and they also did well to make sure that all the things that go with having such facility still go together in terms of maintainance and all of that. That is why we are having what we are having and still craving for more because we cannot have it enough. Secondly, the Akwa Ibom

Football Association will always play its parts in advising, encouraging and supporting the government, private sector and all concerned to make sure that we sustain this and reap the gains thereof.

Sustaining The Tempo

We are doing just that and I must tell you right now, the NLO is ongoing and we have a center in Akwa Ibom. We do not just want to host things but we want to host, learn and see how we can do better. That is why we take it one step at a time. After the NLO, we will seat back and see what we did right, what we should improve on and all of that. Like what you mentioned, it is all in our plans to make sure that we keep making the place busy for football activities because that is under our purview.

There is something we are also looking at, we are looking at a situation that football will be played in Akwa Ibom and in these facilities both locally and internationally. Then for local, we are looking at instituting a youth league in Akwa Ibom where every local government will have a youth team and we are also discussing with partners that are also willing to come in. It might take off this year because it is a new innovation. We will also have a league for the youth.

Credit: Blueprint