NFA says it’s committed to adequate preparation of national teams

By SundiataPOST, Abuja

The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on Thursday said it would continue to work towards adequately preparing the national football teams for championships.
Aminu Maigari, the association’s chairman, said this in his address to the NFA 69th Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Warri, Delta.
He attributed the successes recorded by the nation’s football teams in 2013 to the conducive environment the association created and their adequate preparation by the NFA.
Maigari said it was along that line that the NFA would initiate early preparations for the home-based Super Eagles ahead of their participation at the African Championship of Nations (CHAN).
The championship will hold in South Africa between Jan. 11 and Feb. 1, 2014.
“Our winning theme has been the commitment to provide adequate preparation for our national teams for major campaigns and championships.
“All the men and women teams have benefited greatly from the quality friendly matches and training camps, including excellent welfare packages,’’ the NFA chairman said.
He said the association had undergone a lot of challenges in recent past, but had been able to overcome them.
Maigari said the challenges prompted the association to evolve a roadmap towards achieving results by national teams.
“The roadmap has enabled us to fulfill our mission and led us to our vision. So, I am happy to report that we are now on the right track,’’ he said.
In his speech, Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta urged the NFA not to celebrate beyond modesty the laurels won in 2013.
Uduaghan, represented by his deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, said all hands should be on deck to ensure the Super Eagles’ success at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
“There is dire need for selflessness on the part of everyone involved in the decision-making process.
“The decisions we take should bear more fruits and enduring results for our dear country and for posterity,’’ he said.
The FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, commended the NFA for the various achievements the nation’s football teams recorded in the 2013.
Blatter, who was represented by Amanze Ucheagbulam, a former NFA Vice-Chairman, urged the association to work harder to bring the 2014 World Cup trophy to Nigeria.