Former Chairman of Gombe Football Association Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe has urged an industrialist and the Chairman of BUA Group Abdul Samad Isiaka Rabiu to offer financial support towards building local football clubs and sports infrastructures in Nigeria.
Gombe said in statement on his social media handle said that instead of spending humongous amount of dollars in boosting the morals of Super Eagles players in Morocco who he described as super rich, adviced the Business Mongol to use his Patriotic heart to finance sports projects in Nigeria.
Gombe said, "At the risk of being attacked by social media bandits, I wish to express an opinion about the dollarisation of motivation by my brother, Abdul Samad Isyaka Rabiu, the Chairman of BUA Group. Yes, I called him my brother because two of his younger ones are my close friends, and I have called them to express my reservations.
He Stated that, either the Chairman BUA group was ill advised or he personally took a wrong decision without sufficient information about the football and sports industry in Nigeria.
Gombe insisted that the dollars BUA is showering on the Super Eagles are going to people who do not need it. Secondly, they are going to people who will not appreciate it even if he gives them four times that amount.
"This set of Super Eagles is the most ungrateful and unpatriotic set of players Nigeria has ever produced. If Abdul Samad’s gesture is out of patriotism, then he is wasting the money on players who are not patriotic."
The former Chairman of Gombe State Football Association averred that the Super Eagles players derive pleasure in blackmailing our country over peanuts that are far below their dignity.
"These Eagles think that by playing for Nigeria, they are doing Nigeria a favour.
Interestingly, BUA’s business interest is national, however 80 percent of those who consume his products are the masses. Rice, sugar, salt, flour, and others.
" If BUA had empowered football clubs in Abakaliki, Shagamu, Oron, Funtua, Dutse, Gboko, Offa, Numan, Kumo, Maiduguri, Gashua, Suleja, Lafia, and so on, Nigerians would remain grateful to him forever, and the impact of his charity would truly be felt.
Kano Pillars, where He came from, are travelling without a bus. Gombe United are travelling without a bus. There are over 4,000 football clubs in Kano State that are in need of boots, balls, jerseys, and basic equipment. The NFF needs VAR.
The NPFL needs an insurance policy for clubs. They need outside broadcast vans.
The NNL, NLO, Players’ Union, and NIS all need funding. Federations need a functional secretariat. The NSC needs funds to clear the weeds and also bring back Moshood Abiola Stadium to use.
Two seasons ago, Elkanemi Warriors had to travel all the way from Maiduguri to Ikenne Remo before they could locate a stadium to play their continental game.
He queried, "Can BUA Chairman take over Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano or the National Stadium in Lagos, name it BUA Stadium, and upgrade any or both to international standard?
Can BUA give just 200,000 dollars to Owu Sports and ask them to produce kits for all NPFL, NNL, NLO clubs, and all other national teams in volleyball, basketball, and others?
The Eagles have more than enough motivation. A good intention can be counterproductive if not well thought out.
Many of our former national team players are in need of support right now, I mean players who made real sacrifices for this country.
The decision has already been irreversibly taken by BUA, and I do not want to say we should lose the game so that the players do not get this money. I pray we win. Let this money go to where it is needed, not to those who do not love Nigeria" . Gombe said.