“Fair Play must be the center of our game,” asserts Mr. Sola Fanawopo, Chairman of the Osun State Football Association, to all stakeholders involved in the ongoing New Year Mega Lottery Nationwide League One (NLO) at the Osogbo Township Stadium, one of the NLO centers, across the nation.
In a candid phone conversation with Futball Naija correspondence, the custodian of football in Osun State emphasized the importance of creating a level playing ground for all stakeholders involved. He used the opportunity to call upon everyone in the football community to prioritize fairness and safety.
Speaking about the officiating in the ongoing NLO games, Fanawopo reiterated, “I’ve not been around but from reports reaching me, I want to urge all involved that ‘Fair Play’ and safety must be the center of our game.”
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Fanawopo empathized with club owners, acknowledging the substantial financial investments they make without guaranteed returns. He lamented the detrimental impact poor officiating would have on them. In the same vein, he also urged support for referees to enhance their performance.
Recognizing the role of technology in modern football, Fanawopo proposed the acquisition of communication gadgets for referees to facilitate their duties effectively. He urged club owners and teams to respect the authority of referees and align with their leadership on the field.
To ensure transparency and professionalism, Fanawopo advocated for the announcement of match officials at least 48 hours before any game, aligning with global best practices. Additionally, he addressed the potential challenges the NLO Osogbo center coordinators may face from some club owners and urged them to be vigilant and proactive in managing such situations for the betterment of football.
