Delta brings Manchester United to Nigeria
By Onochie Anibeze
Posted to the Web: Tuesday, October 02, 2007
The great Manchester United have taken the place of Arsenal FC in the scheduled visit to Delta State, Nigeria.
Delta FA boss, Pinnick Amaju, who initiated the arrangement, earlier banked on Arsenal to play in Warri but he later struck a better deal for Warri fans and for football with Manchester United..
Arsenal were going to present only their Under-21 side. But Manchester United would add about five of their star players to join their Under-21 side to play in Warri next month.
“It will be a historic event,” Amaju said, moments after signing the Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, for the event.
The MOU was signed between Delta FA and the English Premiership League who was represented by their chairman Richards David and Garth Crooks who is in charge of Football Foundation Panel, what is generally referred to as youth football here only that Nigeria does not have any such department in their FA. Crooks, before now, had contacts in Nigeria as Kojo Williams was going to involve him in restructuring the NFA when he became chairman of the association. His early removal, orchestrated by the sports ministry just as they did to Ibrahim Galadima, put paid to the great plans Kojo had to turn Nigeria’s football around.
“The Premiership has the responsibility to ensure a club comes here and they were tremendous in brokering the deal with Manchester United. I found out that their offer was better than what we would have had with Arsenal because players like O’shea, West Brown and about three other first team players would come with their Under 21 side to play a Delta selected Under 21 side on November 17.
The atmosphere will be stupendous in Warri and the people will have a day they will never forget,” Anaju said, adding “Manchester United coming to Nigeria to play is worth celebrating. Everything has been worked out for their smooth trip to Nigeria. In the MOU we signed, we have exclusive right to scout for sponsorship.
It means from MTN to Globacom and to Celtel and to all the banks and oil companies and others, we will accommodate all of them and ensure they earn mileage from this historic visit. What we need from the NFA is protection and nothing more. NFA will be happy that we have made such inroads. Football will be better for it here,” Amaju said.
Apart from the match, Manchester will visit some schools and hospitals as a way to encourage the people and leave a lasting memory before they leave Delta.
Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan had said severally that sports was one way to engage the youth and also provide employment. He said during his campaign that he would consolidate on the structure his predecessor left behind and Amaju said yesterday that he had already begun the moves to fulfill his words.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/sports/october07/02102007/sp202102007.html
By Onochie Anibeze
Posted to the Web: Tuesday, October 02, 2007
The great Manchester United have taken the place of Arsenal FC in the scheduled visit to Delta State, Nigeria.
Delta FA boss, Pinnick Amaju, who initiated the arrangement, earlier banked on Arsenal to play in Warri but he later struck a better deal for Warri fans and for football with Manchester United..
Arsenal were going to present only their Under-21 side. But Manchester United would add about five of their star players to join their Under-21 side to play in Warri next month.
“It will be a historic event,” Amaju said, moments after signing the Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, for the event.
The MOU was signed between Delta FA and the English Premiership League who was represented by their chairman Richards David and Garth Crooks who is in charge of Football Foundation Panel, what is generally referred to as youth football here only that Nigeria does not have any such department in their FA. Crooks, before now, had contacts in Nigeria as Kojo Williams was going to involve him in restructuring the NFA when he became chairman of the association. His early removal, orchestrated by the sports ministry just as they did to Ibrahim Galadima, put paid to the great plans Kojo had to turn Nigeria’s football around.
“The Premiership has the responsibility to ensure a club comes here and they were tremendous in brokering the deal with Manchester United. I found out that their offer was better than what we would have had with Arsenal because players like O’shea, West Brown and about three other first team players would come with their Under 21 side to play a Delta selected Under 21 side on November 17.
The atmosphere will be stupendous in Warri and the people will have a day they will never forget,” Anaju said, adding “Manchester United coming to Nigeria to play is worth celebrating. Everything has been worked out for their smooth trip to Nigeria. In the MOU we signed, we have exclusive right to scout for sponsorship.
It means from MTN to Globacom and to Celtel and to all the banks and oil companies and others, we will accommodate all of them and ensure they earn mileage from this historic visit. What we need from the NFA is protection and nothing more. NFA will be happy that we have made such inroads. Football will be better for it here,” Amaju said.
Apart from the match, Manchester will visit some schools and hospitals as a way to encourage the people and leave a lasting memory before they leave Delta.
Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan had said severally that sports was one way to engage the youth and also provide employment. He said during his campaign that he would consolidate on the structure his predecessor left behind and Amaju said yesterday that he had already begun the moves to fulfill his words.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/sports/october07/02102007/sp202102007.html
in a non-Wenger kinda way. Good work, Reverend.