By Bimbo Atolagbe
Ahead of the Kwara Football Association elections on June 13, in Kaiama Local Government Area, Mr Olaide Ahmed, has unveiled his document of plan for the administration and development of football in the state.
Ahmed made public his “Rocking the Boat: Our only Choice” blueprint in Ilorin.
It was presented at a gathering of football stakeholders, which was designed to unveil the plan and also sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kwara chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
Ahmed emphasised that he joined the race to exhibit his passion for the game of football and expressed his capacity to develop football in the state.
The Engineer will contest the chairmanship seat against the incumbent Chairman, Malam Idris Musa, whom he said, has not performed, going by the identified indices, including facilities, player development and representations, especially at the national level.
Musa, popularly known as Thuraya, was elected four years ago, emerging as the first democratically elected chairman of the Kwara Football Association, and is seeking his second term in office.
“I am highly determined. I have the passion and capacity to give back to the society. And going by the indices I have identified in my plan, which includes having the required facilities and breeding of players that can play in all levels of the national teams, the current chairman, to me, has not done anything. He has not performed,” Ahmed said.
“I have decided to offer my ideas to change the face of football in Kwara State, thereby setting a benchmark that will inspire others for the overall development of football in the country.
“I have the capacity, the knowledge and requisites to pilot the administration of football in Kwara to an enviable level.
“I have over four decades cult followership of football. I played the game, I have listened to the ordeals of players and coaches in the state, and I have equally offered my widow’s mite in support to them.
“I am familiar with the problems of grassroots football and have a clear cut solutions to them. I have football management experience spanning almost a decade, as member, Vice Chairman and Chairman of Nigeria Nationwide League side, Barrier Sports Club of Ilorin,” said the aspirant.
He appealed to all delegates that beyond anything else, his passion for football and track records as a successful business manager, is what he is bringing to the table, as he aspired for the top seat.
The Executive Chairman of the Kwara Sports Commission, Malam Bola Mogaji, said that government would ensure that everything was put in place to ensure a hitch-free elections in Kaiama.
The Chairman of Kwara United FC, Kumbi Titiloye; the Club’s General Manager, Bashir Badawiy; Alhaji AbdulRazaq Adebayo; Owolabi Agbaji Wopa, Alhaji Toyin Olokoba; Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka; the Administrator of Kwara Football Academy, Malam Bako Ibrahim; Malam Hameed Adio, and other stakehders, praised Ahmed for his initiative, and hoped for a free and fair elections.
No fewer than 10 aspirants have already bought Intent Forms to validate their interest to contest for the available positions in the next Kwara FA Board.
