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Football stakeholders in Nigeria hosted a dinner party in Lagos, yesterday, as part of the several ceremonies outlined in reception of the President, Confederation of African Football (CAF), Ahmad Ahmad .
The cozy event took place at the Lagos residence of the President of Nigerian Football Federation [NFF], Amaju Pinnick, in the evening, following CAF’s emergency meeting in Lagos, which outcome led to the emergence of Morocco as the host of 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN), with Kenya stripped of same hosting rights for failing to provide facilities needed for the competition.
Throughout the night, Pinnik who coordinated the occasion [assisted by comedian, Bovi and singer, Darey Art Alade], thrilled guests with short jokes, karaoke and of course fetes them with sumptuous meals and drinks.
In the course of the event, CAF’s boss, Ahmad had a brief chat with TheNewsGuru.com, on his plans to improve the handling of football business in Africa.
Starting the conversations on his promises for football development in Africa, Ahmad said, “I promised to make Africa a big family and now we organise meetings everywhere in Africa, that is one big dream fulfilled”
Asked if CAF’s recent initiative of changing the date of AFCON from January to June is best for the continent, he replied, “all stakeholders thought about football in Africa and saw that our style of campaign in the region is different from the world and this is what prompted the change”
He emphasised that CAF recognises that playing group matches of the Champions League in May‚ June and July – where the continent’s top leagues are supposed to be off on holiday – badly impacts on clubs from top leagues.
“Europe gives our players the biggest opportunities and we cannot afford to miss that, so we need to the change in order to allow our own footballers get the best of such gains” He added.
Speaking on the outcome of his meeting in Lagos, Ahmad noted that CAF’s rules of engagement are golden and remains the only benchmark upon which it will partner with stakeholders, stressing that Kenya’s inability to meet up with infrastructural requirement forced the football association to give the 2018 CHAN hosting rights to Morocco.
He furthered, “That is why we always tell our stakeholders that there is CAF standard. If you follow it, we protect you…if you don”t, then you lose it”
Ahmad also gave insights on how he intends to sell Africa to the world at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
“Football in Africa is not only a business of CAF, it belongs to every one of us, so we are going to ensure we facilitate a clear communication with governments at all relevant levels, corporate organisations, among other football stakeholders to help the continent achieve an awesome representation in Russia. ”
Among those who graced the occasion include, eggheads in Nigeria’s football space, some members of CAF’s Emergency Committee; football club owners, members of the diplomatic community, NFF’s sponsors, media associates and partners.