The chairman of Niger State Sports Commission, Alhaji Abdul Masu has opined that Nigeria’s overall sports sector would be resuscitated should the Super Eagles win the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Masu declared as much during an exclusive interview with Sports247 in Fes, Morocco, where he stated delight with the Eagles’ surge to the quarterfinals of AFCON 2025, but then pointed out that many issues are attached to the team’s progress.
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Masu went further by pointing out that the Eagles’ surge in Morocco has varying implications regarding federal unity, international image, corporate sponsorship, talent development and maintenance of facilities in Nigeria.
He also reckoned that winning a fourth AFCON title would bring about a reorientation towards the real ideals of sports, especially in terms of boosting the essence of unity in diversity for Nigeria.
The amiable technocrat from Niger State posited, “Sports does not speak religion, and it does not speak in different dialects or languages. What sports does is to talk about unity.
“So, we should try to consolidate for our nation by winning this trophy. That would help our nation to be proud of itself and to build a united federation for our children yet unborn.”
He also pointed at the values of football as a tool for social progress, enhancement of public infrastructure and in boosting a nation’s international image but reckoned that Nigeria is yet to key into those values the way Morocco has done in recent years.
Masu added, “My call to Nigerians regarding the Super Eagles’ progress here in Morocco is to look at various areas of gains their success will bring for our country.
“This is not my first time coming to Morocco. I have participated here as a player, I have been here as an official of a team, and I am now here as a government delegation member.
“If you look at the story of Morocco down the line, you will see that they have invested so much in sports. Within the year in review, they hosted more than 48 international championships in various sporting activities.
“In handball alone, they had about five championships. The same thing in basketball and in hockey. That’s because they recognise that sports is a very big industry that has a rich value chain.”
He concluded by calling on Nigerians from all walks of life to join hands together in reviving the country’s sports sector in terms of participation, structures, organisation of events and talent development.
“Once we are able to galvanise all that is required to build a nation through sports, we will not be left behind in the world at large.
“We have big stadiums in Kaduna, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Lagos and other places … but what are we doing about them?” Masu concluded rhetorically.
