Gara Gombe ask BUA to save Sani Abacha stadium, others, alleges Super Eagles players are not patriotic
Football pundit has urged business tycoon and philanthropist, Abdul Samad Isiyaku Rabiu to salvage Sani Abacha stadium, Kano from its dilapidated state.
The renown sports critic took to his social media handle saying “At the risk of being attacked by social media bandits, I wish to express an opinion about the dollarisation of motivation by my brother, Abdul Samad Isyaka Rabiu, the Chairman of BUA Group.
“Yes, I called him my brother because two of his younger ones are my close friends, and I called them yesterday to express my reservations.
“My position is that either the Chairman was ill advised or he personally took a wrong decision without sufficient information about the football and sports industry in Nigeria.
Gara further said “The dollars BUA is showering on the Super Eagles are going to people, who do not need it. Secondly, they are going to people who will not appreciate it even if he gives them four times that amount.
“This set of Super Eagles is the most ungrateful and unpatriotic set of players Nigeria has ever produced. If Abdul Samad’s gesture is out of patriotism, then he is wasting the money on players who are not patriotic.
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“They derive pleasure in blackmailing our country over peanuts that are far below their dignity. These Eagles think that by playing for Nigeria, they are doing us a favour. The only language they understand is money. Shamelessly, none of them can even sing the national anthem. Watch them when the anthem is being played. Yet, they went on strike twice in Morocco just to embarrass Nigeria.
“Agreed, BUA’s business interest is national, but 80 percent of those who consume his products are the masses. Rice, sugar, salt, flour, and others. If BUA had empowered football clubs in Abakaliki, Shagamu, Oron, Funtua, Dutse, Gboko, Offa, Numan, Kumo, Maiduguri, Gashua, Suleja, Lafia, and so on, Nigerians would remain grateful to him forever, and the impact of his charity would truly be felt.
“Kano Pillars, where BUA came from, are travelling without a bus. Gombe United are travelling without a bus. There are over 4,000 football clubs in Kano State that are in need of boots, balls, jerseys, and basic equipment. The NFF needs VAR. The NPFL needs an insurance policy for clubs. They need outside broadcast vans. The NNL, NLO, Players’ Union, and NIS all need funding. Federations need a functional secretariat. The NSC needs funds to clear the weeds and also bring back Moshood Abiola Stadium to use.
“Two seasons ago, Elkanemi Warriors had to travel all the way from Maiduguri to Ikenne Remo before they could locate a stadium to play their continental game. In the whole of Nigeria today, it is only the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, that meets FIFA and CAF standards to host an international match. Can the BUA Chairman take over Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano or the National Stadium in Lagos, name it BUA Stadium, and upgrade any or both to international standard? Can BUA give just 200,000 dollars to Owu Sports and ask them to produce kits for all NPFL, NNL, NLO clubs, and all other national teams in volleyball, basketball, and others?
“Already, the Eagles have more than enough motivation. With money attached to every goal, this is when they will stop passing balls, and Osimhen will show his madness because everybody will want to score. A good intention can be counterproductive if not well thought out.
Gara lamented that “Many of our former national team players are in need of support right now, players who made real sacrifices for this country, not this bunch of money mongers that BUA is going to waste money on.
“The decision has already been irreversibly taken by BUA, and I do not want to say we should lose the game so that the players do not get this money. I pray we win, but giving them that money, especially these present Eagles in Morocco, is a waste. Let this money go to where it is needed, not to those who do not love Nigeria.” Gara stated.
