FIFA seminar excites Nigerian delegates

Nigerian delegates to the Brazil 2014 World Cup Workshop/Seminar in Florianopolis, Brazil say they have benefitted immensely from the weeklong event, which they will avail the national team and Nigerian football when the need arises.
The Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, said it was a revealing session for him as it afforded him an opportunity to meet some of the best coaches in the world. “Some of the coaches we have here were the same coaches some of us were adoring in our playing days. To be rubbing shoulders with them on the same platform is a rare privilege and we must thank the NFF and FIFA for this opportunity,” Keshi said as he exchanged pleasantries with Brazilian Coach, Luis Filipo Scolari.
The Super Eagles Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, who was also at a similar event at the South Africa 2010 World Cup, said there have been a few changes to the last seminar as FIFA continues to evolve as one of the most influential bodies in the world. “The seminar will surely help us when the World Cup starts,” Achor said.
On his part, team doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran, who has been the most engaged of all the delegates, said it has been another eye opener for him in the field of sports medicine. “We have been told the latest discoveries in medicine, new medical terms, drugs, steps against anti-doping, preventive rather than curative approach in athletes’ management and new rules from international bodies like the World Anti-Doping Agency and the World Health Organisation,” Gyaran said.
NFF Marketing Department’s Chuks Alizor, said he has gained fresh insights into international sports marketing, which will come in handy in his job with the NFF.
“FIFA was simply fantastic with this seminar and I thank the NFF for bringing me here to learn new things,” Alizor said.
Team Security Head, Assistant Commissioner of Police Abubabakar Baba, was mouth agape at the huge deployment of security operatives and other salient security details unveiled during Wednesday’s session.
“Security wise, I have gained a lot but I must also say FIFA has a lot of planners that will make this year’s World Cup free of security threat,” Baba said.
Member of the NFF Security Committee, Dr. Christian Emeruwa, spoke in a similar vein, describing the knowledge gained at the seminar as an eye opener.
The Nigerian delegation is expected back home of Friday.