Uzor Kalu
Nigerian football Ambassador, John Fashanu has given reasons why he wants former Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu to run for FIFA presidency.
Fashanu who spoke yesterday on Channels Television said he is championing the course because of his strong conviction that Kalu as FIFA president will deliver, even as he added that it was high time a black African emerged as leader of the world soccer governing body.
In his words: “Those of us urging Kalu to run are doing so because we know his pedigree and antecedents. He is a competent and charismatic manager whose candidacy can fly in Africa and other parts of the world. He has managed his businesses well and football is now big business. Kalu has what it takes to run FIFA. He has what it takes to take on Platini and others and win the FIFA presidency. We are backing him because he is the right person for the job. Again, some of us strongly believe it is high time the world elects an African FIFA president and the right choice will be Kalu.”
The ex-international pointed out that Kalu is not an outsider when it comes to FIFA politics as he is well known in global football circle and had in fact before now been attending FIFA meetings.
“We are holding discussions at the highest level and we just pray that he (Kalu) will give us the green light and accept to run. He is one candidate this country and Africa can use to win the FIFA presidency,” Fashanu said.
Meanwhile , a non-governmental organization, United Africa for Sports Development (UASD), has also declared its support for Kalu.
The body in a statement signed by Dr. Batos Nwadike, (chairman), Keshi Kwensi, (secretary) and Dickson Nnamdi Iroegbu, (publicity secretary), said with the contributions of Africa to the development of football, this is the time for the continent to mount the saddle at FIFA.
“Africa, having contributed tremendously to the development of global football deserves the headship position of the world soccer governing body.”
On why Kalu should be supported, UASD said: “Kalu as a footballer himself, a successful football administrator and sponsor of numerous clubs and tournaments, is ably qualified to assume the exulted seat of FIFA President. FIFA currently deserves a man of integrity and business-minded fellow as president, therefore Kalu as a Pillar of sports in Africa will bring to bear in the global soccer body his wealth of experience and passion, to the benefit of the beautiful game.”
Calling on the Muhammadu Buhari government to endorse and support Kalu, UASD stated: “We urge President Buhari and his administration, and all soccer loving Nigerians to support this noble aspiration.”
Just like UASD, veteran ace broadcaster , Rollings Obieri has thrown his weight behind those urging Kalu to vie for the FIFA presidency, even as he charged the nation’s soccer governing body, NFF to support it.
“I just pray the nation’s football authorities will support this project. Nigeria must learn to support its competent citizens aspiring to lead world bodies. Kalu is a man that is passionate about football. We have seen what he can do with Enyimba. I think he has what it takes to lead FIFA. It is a dream that is realizable, if only he gets the support from the home front. It is only Nigeria that can bungle this and I pray those running our football will do the right thing and get Kalu to run,” Obieri said.
Nigerian football Ambassador, John Fashanu has given reasons why he wants former Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu to run for FIFA presidency.
Fashanu who spoke yesterday on Channels Television said he is championing the course because of his strong conviction that Kalu as FIFA president will deliver, even as he added that it was high time a black African emerged as leader of the world soccer governing body.
In his words: “Those of us urging Kalu to run are doing so because we know his pedigree and antecedents. He is a competent and charismatic manager whose candidacy can fly in Africa and other parts of the world. He has managed his businesses well and football is now big business. Kalu has what it takes to run FIFA. He has what it takes to take on Platini and others and win the FIFA presidency. We are backing him because he is the right person for the job. Again, some of us strongly believe it is high time the world elects an African FIFA president and the right choice will be Kalu.”
The ex-international pointed out that Kalu is not an outsider when it comes to FIFA politics as he is well known in global football circle and had in fact before now been attending FIFA meetings.
“We are holding discussions at the highest level and we just pray that he (Kalu) will give us the green light and accept to run. He is one candidate this country and Africa can use to win the FIFA presidency,” Fashanu said.
Meanwhile , a non-governmental organization, United Africa for Sports Development (UASD), has also declared its support for Kalu.
The body in a statement signed by Dr. Batos Nwadike, (chairman), Keshi Kwensi, (secretary) and Dickson Nnamdi Iroegbu, (publicity secretary), said with the contributions of Africa to the development of football, this is the time for the continent to mount the saddle at FIFA.
“Africa, having contributed tremendously to the development of global football deserves the headship position of the world soccer governing body.”
On why Kalu should be supported, UASD said: “Kalu as a footballer himself, a successful football administrator and sponsor of numerous clubs and tournaments, is ably qualified to assume the exulted seat of FIFA President. FIFA currently deserves a man of integrity and business-minded fellow as president, therefore Kalu as a Pillar of sports in Africa will bring to bear in the global soccer body his wealth of experience and passion, to the benefit of the beautiful game.”
Calling on the Muhammadu Buhari government to endorse and support Kalu, UASD stated: “We urge President Buhari and his administration, and all soccer loving Nigerians to support this noble aspiration.”
Just like UASD, veteran ace broadcaster , Rollings Obieri has thrown his weight behind those urging Kalu to vie for the FIFA presidency, even as he charged the nation’s soccer governing body, NFF to support it.
“I just pray the nation’s football authorities will support this project. Nigeria must learn to support its competent citizens aspiring to lead world bodies. Kalu is a man that is passionate about football. We have seen what he can do with Enyimba. I think he has what it takes to lead FIFA. It is a dream that is realizable, if only he gets the support from the home front. It is only Nigeria that can bungle this and I pray those running our football will do the right thing and get Kalu to run,” Obieri said.
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