With Mike Adeyemi
Engr. Idris Etsu Jibril is a Board member of the Kwara State Football Association and one of the aspirants for the highest football post in the state. He speaks with MIKE ADEYEMI, on the bane of football development in the state as well as his chances of winning the forthcoming Kwara FA elections.
What informed your decision to run for the post of Kwara FA chairman?
For quite some years, I have been nourshing this ambition to become Kwara Football Association Chairman, owing because I have paid so many dues in sports development, especially soccer in Kwara State.
I can remember that for more than 15 years back, I have been following Kwara United. I have been given state assignment to see to the promotion of Kwara United back to pro league then.
I was the leader of delegates to Lafia to play the politics between jagriders and Kwara United that time.
Also, financially, I have been supporting the club. I have also been promoting gate takings, because I have a company on it.
I have also raised a team for the past three years now called JT Patigi Academy where raw talents are groomed.
With all those involvement and participation, I believe if elected the FA chairman, I will put in my wealth of experience to shape the Association.
These are what compelled me to vie for the post of Kwara Football Association.
What would you do differently if you emerge the next Kwara FA Chairman?
By the Grace of God, my focus is in the Grassroots. We have so many talents across the 16 local government areas of Kwara state that were not tapped.
At present, there is no forum for them to showcase their talents but if I become the Kwara FA chairman, I will ensure we have our own FA league that will cut across all the local government areas of the state. Then we can select a formidable team for Kwara FA.
Also, our two home teams -Kwara United and ABS would be compelled to have among them local players so as to reduce or cut expenses of buying players outside the state.
In a nutshell, grassroots sports development will be my cardinal point if I emerge the FA chairman.
Secondly, all affiliated Associations in the state, be it coaches, referees and others are at present lagging behind on so many platforms.
In the Nigerian league now, hardly do we have up to two or three Kwara referees among the officiating crew.
If I become the chairman, I will ensure the numbers of our officials increase.
Also, I discovered that our coaches are restricted to Kwara State, they don’t tap the luxury to take up coaching outside the state and even at the national level.
And many of them are better off in this regard. But for the reason that people that ought to push for them are not doing so. If I get to the post, I will make sure all these are improved on.
What are your chances as regards this contest?
Everything belongs to God, but I know with my wealth of experience, couple with my years of active involvement in Kwara football circle, I am rest assured that I will win the FA election.
If eventually you lose out, would you embrace whoever emerges?
Yes, this is a sports policy, and in sports, there is this act of sportsmanship were the losers embrace the winners.
If I lose the contest, sure am going to embrace the winner but I know I will win.
How true is the allegation that Kwara North has been marginalised in Kwara FA chairmanship post?
Yes, those of us from Kwara North have been marginalised, going by history of Kwara FA.
I will mention names to be precised Alh Lanre Jaji , Alh Awodi, Alh Saliu Ojibara and the present Chairman Mallam Busari Ishola who has spent 8 years are all from Ilorin.
Kwara North should be allowed to come in as we have competent sports administrator who can make Kwara proud.
