APFON National Administrative Council Conference

The Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria (APFON) chaired by Alhaji Dahiru Sadi (MFR) held its National administrative council conference at Ibadan on Tuesday and came out with this communique.

1. The Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria (APFON) is worried by the plight facing footballers in the country against the backdrop of the staggering amount of money owed the players and coaches in the Nigeria professional Football League (NPFL) and the Nigeria National League (NNL) since 2010 totalling N904 million. The sum of N254 million represent the figure of the already decided cases before the Arbitration panel of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) while the remaining N650 million is yet to be ascertained by the panel.

2. APFON reiterates its commitment to the advancement of academic and professional career of footballers in Nigeria through periodic programmes under the Professional Footballers Further Education and Vocational Training Scheme that would enhance their standard of living especially in retirement.

3. The proposed Nigeria Professional Footballers Pension Scheme will take off in due course.

4. APFON notes with regret that poverty is one of the factors that drive coaches and players into cheap labour by accepting jobs without any documentary evidence.

5. The Super Eagles be given the necessary support by all the stakeholders in Nigerian football towards qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

6. APFON commends the Stephen Keshi-led technical crew for qualifying for the 2014 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) for the first time.

7. Clubs must ensure adequate welfare of their players and give them their entitlements as and when due for them (players) to meet their domestic challenges and improve their level of productivity.

8. It is high time the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had a functional technical department manned by professionals while emphasis should be more on developing the game than promoting the game.

9. Efforts be intensified by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to train more coaches in the country to get the Confederation of African Football, CAF Licence A, B and B Equivalent; as Egypt and Ghana as of today had trained about 4,000 and 3,000 coaches respectively as against Nigeria's 240.

10. APFON commends the Oyo State government for adequately funding Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) campaigning for honours in the Globacom Premier League, as well as hosting this National Administrative Council Conference which is a reflection of the present administration's commitment to the growth of sports in the state and the nation at large.

11. The expertise of FIFA/CAF instructors in the likes of Chief Adegboye Onigbinde and other technocrats be fully explored towards taking Nigerian football to greater heights.