Swampy National Teams' Training Pitch In Abuja Begs For NFF Attention

Swampy National Teams' Training Pitch In Abuja Begs For NFF Attention By Niyi Busari The FIFA Goal Project, Abuja, the training pitch of all Nigeria national teams has become marshy and reduced to a typical Primary School field that student use to play 'monkey post' during their break time. This was due to lack of maintainance since it was commissioned. Last Thursday, during a heavy downpour, flood rushed into the pitch and left it swampy. The pitch is now with two different colours; brown from the left side and green on the other side. [caption id="attachment_55148" align="aligncenter" width="994"] FIFA Goal Project pitch turned brown after enveloped by flood[/caption] Inaugurated on Wednesday 11 November, 2009 in Abuja with almost $1.9m dollars spent by FIFA to provide administrative centre, an artificial pitch, medical facilities, an auditorium, a restaurant, a hotel and offices. FIFA built it for Nigeria for grassroots football development. This follows three FIFA World Cups already in the trophy cabinet of Nigeria (as at 2009) at U-17 level. However, Nigerian had gone ahead to win the FIFA Championship for five times demonstrating over time how capable it is at bringing through young players in a country where every inhabitant represents a passionate fan of the beautiful game. "Nigeria already possess the tools to be successful, and they now have one more in the shape of this project," the then CAF President, Issa Hayatou said while commissioning the turf. "I hope that it will quickly bear fruit by further improving Nigerian football, so that its players can one day – I hope – hold aloft the World Cup. This wish was met with an energetic round of applause, to which he quickly added, "This time, I’m not speaking to you in my role of representative of the President of FIFA, but as CAF President, of course!" He added. "Thanks to the investment of over 1.9 million dollars, teams at all age levels, male or female, will now have the chance to improve the standard of local football and its achievements. "I would like to thank, congratulate and encourage all those working hard at the grass roots of Nigerian football,” said Issa Hayatou, CAF President and FIFA vice-president, who attended the ceremony as the representative of FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. Meanwhile, in a deliberate effort in making available facilities for football development, the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare through Adopt-a-Pitch initiative is able to renovate the pitch and scoreboard at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja while National Stadium Lagos renovation is underway. However, the NFF in 2020 claimed that Two million and two hundred thousand dollars ($2.2m) was spent on building of two stadia in Ugborodo, Delta State and Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. The two projects have been abandoned since the foundations were laid. The Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick recently on different forums after sealing sponsorship deals from three companies (Baba Ijebu, Air Peace Airlines and MTN) boasted that the Federation is 85% financial independent. Despite all the monies accumulated by the NFF through FIFA and CAF grants, government subvention, as well as sponsorship deals, the NFF is still owing their staff, Super Eagles Coach and players and are unable to renovate the FIFA Goal Project. Meanwhile, the Rwanda Football Federation is building three stadiums. According to the Federation's Secretary General, Francois Regis, the construction of the stadia commence once the procurement process is completed. In the same vein, in Morocco, the kingdom is setting up six stadiums with 45,000 seat capacity as well as a 100,000-seat stadium in Casablanca. Gross infrastructure deficit is a big dent on Africa. It is sad that Nigeria has no good stadium that can measure up to host FIFA matches. All the iconic stadiums including Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, have been destroyed. Besides, there are over 50 stadiums scattered all over Nigeria and yet most of these stadia are artificial turf which is not good enough to host FIFA football competitions. Before fate dealt a big blow on the FIFA Goal Project and other football pitches in the country, the NFF should as a matter of urgency come to their rescue to avoid national embarrassment.