Governments across board have been urged to allow ex- footballers to manage football affairs so that more success will be achieved from that aspect to reduce unemployment, poverty, crime and insecurity.
This urge was made by the former Rangers, Sharks of Portharcourt, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, East Lions, Super Eagles, Golden Guinea and Arab Contractors player, Kasmir Mbachu, while interact with our reporter in Owerri, last week.
“Government all over the world should give football to ex- footballers to manage in order to thrive more. Imo State Government should make sure that the State Team is well sponsored.
It should look out and engage ex- footballers to boost football in the state. Young talents should also be helped to grow. Although, football has not been as it used to be in the South East. Now, football is lucrative, everyone wants to play now.
When I was growing up, we played for Greater Tomorrow and then, we were flogged and beaten by our parents to go out of football because we were merely playing for talent and fun”, he stated.
Mbachu added that because football is fetching big money today, every other person wants their child to play whether he or she has talent or not.
“If you ask me, I would say, gradually football will come back to what it used to be, because if the ex players come back to man football administration, giving back to football what it gave us, I believe football will get better. Then, we were trained by qualified coaches with deep grassroots experience”.
When asked whether football legends in Imo State are being recognized by government, the ex- international player said “no. It is not only in Imo State that ex football legends are being neglected. Politicians have taken over everywhere.
Even in NFF, it is being politicized. Unfortunately, FIFA wanted football to be out of politics. Gradually, government or management will know that if you do not put the round peg in a round hole football will not work effectively.
So, if you do the needful, football will grow better and successfully in Imo State and across board. Football needs to be handled by technocrats. Those who have the practical experience of football and vitality”.
Mbachu, who is the Vice President and General Coordinator, Association of Ex International Players of Imo State who played football in different parts of the world, hinted that they came together to look after themselves having sacrificed greatly to the state, country, Africa and the world at large, saying they are not being totally neglected, even as he hailed the NFA Chairman, Uchegbulam, for making the ex-football legends relevant.
“I thank Uchegbulam for making me one of the NFA Board Members. Kelvin Onwana, Sunny Opara and a whole lot of other legends are in different football committees in NFA. Because are coming out, this is why we are having these positions.
Others who are not relevant should start coming out in order to make themselves relevant because NFA is ready to involve us in football affairs. Our President, Henry Nwosu, is leading us well.
It is a mark of love and togetherness that we came to commiserate with our own, Ngoka, over the funeral of his elder brother. We are moving forward because we are united and vibrant”, the ex- footballer maintained.
