PFAN’s Visit To Senator Nwoko: Implications For Sports Devt. In Nigeria

BY FRED ODU

On Friday, January 10, 2025, the leadership of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) paid a visit to Senator Ned Munir Nwoko at his Maitama residence in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The association’s President, former international footballer Tijani Babangida, explained that the visit aimed to seek the support of Senator Nwoko, who serves as the Acting Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, to enhance the welfare of both active and retired professional footballers.

Babangida, a former Super Eagles winger and Ajax player, emphasized that PFAN’s mission is to empower footballers both within and beyond the sporting arena while leveraging the unifying power of football on national and global stages.

He highlighted the association’s keen interest in partnering with Senator Nwoko’s STARS University, the first sports-focused university in Sub-Saharan Africa, located in Idumuje-Ugboko, Delta State.

According to Babangida, this proposed partnership would help nurture young football talents and provide educational opportunities for sports professionals, while strengthening the support structures for Nigerian footballers.

He reiterated PFAN’s commitment to collaborating with Senator Nwoko and other stakeholders to create a thriving sports development ecosystem in Nigeria.

In his response, Senator Nwoko, who represents Delta North in the National Assembly, reaffirmed his dedication to advancing sports development in the country.

He assured PFAN of a strong working relationship to achieve the association’s objectives, emphasizing the importance of players’ welfare and the growth of football as a unifying force.

Senator Nwoko’s pioneering efforts in Nigeria’s sports and education sectors were a key factor behind PFAN’s visit.

His STARS University, now in its third academic session, was established to identify and develop young sports talents while offering academic and practical training in sports management, coaching, and physical education.

The institution boasts a state-of-the-art sports complex with facilities for football, basketball, tennis, athletics, and more, alongside well-equipped lecture halls, laboratories, and libraries.

STARS University is designed to produce graduates who excel in various fields of sports while possessing the academic expertise to thrive beyond their athletic careers.

With this initiative, Senator Nwoko aims to end the cycle of professional athletes retiring into poverty or idleness by equipping them with the skills to become self-reliant.

The university also fosters partnerships with international institutions to facilitate exchange programs, research, and knowledge sharing, further enhancing its capacity to drive sports development.

PFAN’s proposed partnership with STARS University, along with collaboration from other sports organizations, clubs, and federal and state governments, is crucial to promoting sports development and early talent identification in Nigeria.

This collective effort promises to transform the nation’s sports landscape and create a sustainable future for Nigerian athletes.