Fan Mail: Pillars FC ‘ll reign under Babangida’s mgt
By Ahmed Babangida Adamu
The role Kano has been playing in the Development of football in Nigeria, speaks volumes for itself. For the sake of argument, go through any encyclopedia that dwells on football history and you will definitely stumble on facts that buttress this statement the town Kano, has a high profile in hot the acquisition of personnel and management of the game.
To this end, it makes a mockery of the discourse, if a sensitive project, like running the affairs of the State Team (i.e) Kano Pillars Football Club (KPFC), is left at this mercy of mediocres. The dissolved management of the club, was a shadow of itself and it didn’t know the seriousness attached to the assignment at its disposal. Many pundits have negated the composition of the board and management members. To them, the assemblage was purely partisan and this was why they fumbled, which resulted in the poor performance of the club, at the just concluded premier league for the 2006 season. Conducting the affairs of a club like (KPFC) requires absolute commitment, dedication, trustworthiness and the interest of the club and the game at heart. All these factors were lacking in the dissolved management.
The introduction of Alhaji Muhammed Tukur Babangida’s led management, at this point in time, serve as the only remedy, because the members are vast and experienced in the chosen assignment. Base on this analogy therefore, our collective support and constant prayers, is what the new management under the tutelage of Alhaji Muhammad Tukur needs in other to excel. The fact still remains, that he had once had a romance with (KPFC), in the nineties (90s). As an ardent and dynamic State and National Sport Administrator and manager, he should see his appointment as very dicey and challenging, considering the genre of supporters associated with (KPFC). This is so because dealing with supporters, more especially that of the club, the management has to be extra vigilant throughout the league season, because same can be unruly especial if the club is wasting tax payer’s money.
It may be of interest that Kano has made a landmark, and has a pedigree in the game that may be difficult to supersede easily. For instance, Kano was the first town up North, that went to Lagos and captured the prestigious Nigerian Challenge Cup, now F\A. cup against all odds in 1953. More so, the same town was the home base of that famous and invincible Raccah Rovers Football Club a club that was adored by its teeming followers within and outside Kano, because of its “TOTAL FOOTBALL”. In those days in Nigeria, Raccah Rovers, were regarded and taken with high esteem. Raccah was a pride to Kano, Nigeria and all lovers of scientific brand of football.
In addition, a Kano indigene, in person of the Late Alhaji Muhammad Danwawu, was appointed in 1961, by the Late Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Premier of Northern Nigeria and the Sardauna of Sokoto, as the pioneer Chairman of the Northern Nigerian Sports Council (NNSC). As the only Northern figure with vast knowledge of the game in those days, Danwawu was again saddled with the sole responsibility of managing the Northern Nigerian Football Team, The Northern Lion that was under the auspices of the late Premier. You seldom can find anybody that can match Danwawu’s personality in that aspect. He was the late Premier’s Football Ambassador par excellence.
With this kind of accumulated stardom in football, why should the Stakeholders (Kano State Government), allow all manners of characters to destroy this famous darling club of the state. Further more, like any other state owned football club campaigning in the premier league nationwide, apart from entertainment, all such clubs are a covert public relations tool for their sponsors. This is why the appointment of Alhaji Muhammad Tukur Babangida to head the management of the club, will be vindicate us all. The relentless followers of the club. Kano Pillars Football Club will reign under the newly appointed management, but...
SUGGESTIONS
1. Firstly, the management should always encourage players morally and financially, until the premier league ends. For obvious reasons, only this scenario is the magic that can boost same for an excellent performance which can lead to securing a continental ticket by way of the league shield or F.A .cup, for 2007 season.
2. Secondly, recruitment of quality players should be a continuous exercise because the mid-season is a sure bat it to engage new players. In addition, quality players are extra source of revenue for most clubs, besides the gate takings. Still on quality players, the case of Sani Kaita an ex-pillars can be cited as a typical example. His departure to Holland where he is playing as a professional now, meant so much to the club, the state F.A and NFA (the Glass House) in Abuja, as each organ, got its own percentage of the deal, before Kaita left the country.
3. Thirdly, players’ welfare should be given a top priority of the management modus operandi. Chances are, if players are well catered for, their performance will be immeasurable. Another factor that can determine the players’ patriotism and dedication to the club, as the season last, is the payment of monthly salary and match bonuses promptly.
In conclusion, I want to use this medium to reiterate the fact that nobody wants to back a losing horse. To this end, to maintain this status quo, the management must strive hard to live to the expectation of all and sundry. Fans generally don’t succumb to constant lackadaisical attitude associated with some lousy players. Therefore, it is imperative for same, to endeavor to carry the teeming supporters of the club(KPFC) along with it, always.
Be that as it may, the management has to fall back to these supporters occasionally for advice and rapport, so as to achieve the desired goal.
I will at this juncture pray for a wonderful performance for the state darling outfit, the Pillars Football Club of Kano; and also a very successful tenure of office for Alh. Muharnmed Tukur Babangida’s Management Team. Amin.
Adamu is the managing Director/Chief Executive ofr
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Amasaye House, Zoo road, Kano.