The Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, has called for the development of strategies to transform football from being a recreational sport to business enterprise in the country.
Governor Ahmed canvassed this view when the leadership of the Nigerian National League Board paid him a courtesy visit in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
Ahmed stressed that such transition could lead to the development of more employment opportunities and entrepreneurship through football.
The governor added that a more virile football culture will promote sound health, check criminal tendencies among youths and engender unity in the country.
Ahmed assured the football administrators that his administration remained ready to support initiatives that will engender the transformation of football into business culture in the state.
Governor Ahmed commended the leadership of the Nigerian National League Board for its efforts in running football more professionally than was before, with a charge that they device strategies to ensure that more fans return to the stadia to watch football.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the NNL Board, Chief Emeka Iyama, commended the Kwara State Government for financing the state owned club, Kwara United, in a manner that ensured its return to the Premier League.
Meanwhile, football fans in Kwara State who watched the Super Four League competition have praised Ahmed for upgrading the state’s stadium complex to a world class standard.
The fans, who marvelled at the artificial turf, the drainage system, the floodlights, the state box and the seats at the stadium, described Ahmed’s vision as laudable.
The Chairman of the Sports Writer Association of Nigeria in the state, Bunmi Adedoyin, called for the prosecution of some international football games involving the Nigerian national teams in Ilorin.
Adedoyin said: “We can now host any calibre of international match in Ilorin.
“This is indeed a FIFA graded stadium and the governor should get kudos for it.”