THE Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) FCT chapter, has held a first-of-its-kind Presidential debate ahead of the Nigeria Football Federation elections.
The event saw CAF’s Chief Safety & Security Officer, Dr. Christian Emeruwa and FCT’s FA Chairman, Adam Mouktar Mohammed go head-to-head as the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare, represented by his Special Adviser on Media Kola Daniel, Chairman NUJ FCT Council, Emmanuel Ogbeche and the crowd watched with excitement.
Between the welcome address by Chairman of SWAN, FCT chapter, Bunmi “Blair” Haruna. and the closing remarks by Ogbeche, the candidates addressed critical points raised.
Mouktar was quick to highlight his achievements as the FCT FA Chairman when quizzed on his suitability as President of NFF.
He said: “I have been in the position of the FCT FA Chairman for the last three years and I see myself as a game-changer. We are in the 22nd century where football has evolved into a business, with my experience of developing young players from zero to heroes, I’m very much suitable for the job.”
He also emphasized picking players from all over the country and helping them through the ranks, from the U-17 to the U-20 and Super Eagles.
Read Also: NFF presidency not seat to joke with, says Mouktar
“I have invested my time and money for over 20 years, and have gotten my hands dirty, so I know what is needed and what needs to be done.
“I resigned from my position, came into administration and in the last three years, I can humbly beat my chest and say I am the best performing FA Chairman in the country.
“We came in with the promise that we wanted to develop facilities, and we have done it. We have trained over 120 coaches which you can verify, and have returned the Abuja league to the top in the country. “Talking about international cooperation, I have brought Bayern Munich, making a home-grown player to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the world. So I understand the business of Football,” Mouktar added. Emeruwa on the other hand shared his continental experience as the CAF’s Chief Safety & Security Officer
“I sit currently in a position where I can see what happens in all 54 countries in Africa, and we have what is called the Directorate Review Session every Monday, where we look at the development and progress in each member association. Unfortunately, I sit at the meeting weekly and listen to how my country Nigeria is mostly at the bottom.
“ In terms of development programs, progress in capacity building, league performance, and so on, and I said within myself, that in this coming election, I will not be sitting down anymore in the comfort of my office in Cairo, without coming back home to try and vie for the position.
“I consider myself fit for the position because this is my profession. I studied sports from my first degree to my Ph.D. at the University of Port Harcourt, and I also worked within the purview of the NFF for many years, where I was privileged to be in the very engine room that drives the entire process of Nigerian Football, which is the office of the Secretary.