BY JACOB AJOM
Former Nigeria international, Adokiye Amiesimaka has identified lack of effective organizational structure and the absence of basic infrastructure as the basic hindrances to the growth of the Nigeria Premier League.

He called for a special Presidential Task Force on infrastructure for the Nigerian Professional league, saying, “the task force should be headed by the Vice President of the country, and must be seen as a matter of urgency because there can never be mass participation in sports without facilitation.”

Speaking at the Soccerex seminar which was concluded in Lagos last week, Amiesimaka also said the lack of political will by the establishment to free football from its strangle hold has made private sector participation unattractive, a situation he said was a major setback in the quest for a truly professional football league.

The former Nigeria international also chided public figures like governors, ministers and even some NFF officials who openly demonstrate their support for foreign clubs.

“To them it is cool to say I am a Man U fan. It is cool to see a governor wearing an Arsenal jersey. What message is he sending to the young ones who see him as role model?” Adokiye asked.

He urged them to moderate their support for foreign clubs and “publicly adopt a club from the home league.”