In time past, many have raised concern about the quality of the Nigerian league. When the league is X-rayed one will find a lot of deficiencies. Recently, there were questions about why are our coaches not picking players from the league? Or rather why can’t the league produce players for the senior national team? To back up this argument, one would say that the Super Eagles of the 80s had only home-based players yet they did well.
But you can ask yourself. What is the demand for football now when you compare it to then? Can the product of the league stand toe to toe with that of other leagues? The answer is definitely clear. Across the world, even in Africa, leagues are televised, insurance policies are made for players, the standards of the officiating are commendable and this reflects in the invitation of our referees in international competitions. Though things are gradually changing how well have the issues of the win at all cost been tackled? There are a lot of questions to ask.
Sports247 in a chat with Barr. Chris Green, Rivers State FA chairman answers some of the questions. In his words “It all depends on our football policy and what we want. How attractive are our leagues”
“In the past year, did we really get a winner in the Premier League. Do clubs really fight to win by relying solely on the training of their players? How is the performance of our referees which is a catalyst for the good performance of our clubs?
How many clubs really spend money to make their club a model. How competitive are the leagues? I praised Davidson Owumi the other over how he handled the untimely death of his players with his insurance scheme which is enough motivation and drive for players to join Rangers and play their lives out. How do clubs travel to venues? What about the interests within the administrators on their favourite clubs and the quest to win at all cost.
What about the disparity in fishing out sanctions and pardon to erring clubs. All these and many more cause our poor showing in the continent.”
