Chairman of Chairmen, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Wednesday in Abuja declared open the 2016 NFF Match Commissioners’ Seminar, harping on the importance of the role of the match commissioner in the organization of a hitch –free football match.
The colourful opening ceremony at the Sharon Ultimate Hotel, Area 3, Abuja was attended by hundreds of match commissioners of the Nigeria Professional Football League, with match commissioners of the Nigeria National League to take their turn on Thursday and those for the Nigeria Women Football League and the Nationwide League One to be involved on Friday.
Gusau, who stood in for NFF President Amaju Pinnick, was in company with NFF Board Members Babagana Kalli (Chairman of the Match Commissioners Appointment Committee), Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Vice Chairman of the Match Commissioners Appointment Committee), Barr. Chris Green (Chairman of Technical and Development Committee), Alh. Yusuf Ahmed Fresh (Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee) and Alh. Sharif Rabiu Inuwa. NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi was represented by his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme.
In his welcome address, Alh. Babagana Kalli underscored the high relevance of the match commissioner to the organization of a football match.“For every football match, the match commissioner is supreme. A football match cannot go ahead without the approval of the match commissioner. He directs that the game be played according to the rules and regulations, and in line with global best practices, which he has complete knowledge of.
“With so much powers granted him, the match commissioner therefore, must be a man of integrity and great honour. He must bear himself appropriately, and must be able to stand above all temptations and compromise.
“While we put in place measures to guarantee even better outings at international level by winning more trophies, and to qualify for major championships in men and women categories, it is important that we pay similar attention to all other aspects of match organization and service delivery on the home front.”
