We usually start well. We usually proffer workable solutions but like an intractable terminal disease, everything we say to promote growth of our football fades away just as the euphoria of starting afresh dims.

Two days after we left the Upper Room in Emmanuel Town, Emeka Amadi was named one of the coaches of the national Under 17 squad. He is to handle goal keepers’ training.

Today, the Executive Board of Nigeria Football Federation will take position on the decision of their Technical Committee.

I have received calls to repeat the column I wrote on the eve of the 2-2 draw Eagles played with Guinea on October 8, the clumsy game that nailed our hope of qualifying for the 2012 Nations Cup. Prince Osuagwu, a colleague in the office, says it’s a pity that those in charge rarely read. He is among those who feel strongly about the piece on October 7.

The ovation was still loud when Patrick Ekeji stood from his chair, turned to me and said “this is good for sports.”I waited to hear more from him but he looked sideways and repeated, “This is good for sports, this is good for sports.”

I should be directing this to the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN but it may also interest Patrick Ekeji, the Director-General of the National Sports Commission.

May I start with Lagos State.They are the hosts of the next National Sports Festival. They saw the opening and closing ceremonies of the Garden City Games in Port Harcourt.

AT the Beijing Olympics, I asked top officials of Jamaica what was the magic? They had just taken the world by storm and everybody in China was singing their name.

On Wednesday, just as I made to start writing this column the news of the press conference addressed by Patrick Ekeji on the impasse reached me. Ekeji is the Director-General of the National Sports Commission. He had made efforts to resolve the matter.

Today, I begin with a story we published on April 4, on our back page. I wrote the story. Please, read and follow the comments below it:

Last week, I asked readers to react on the cheating in age grade competitions as was highlighted by ex international Adokiye Amiesimaka in his comment in Vanguard two weeks ago.