Pinnick commends organisers of AKPAKOMIZA novelty match

Former Nigeria Football Federation President and FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick, has commended friends and associates of the Edo State incoming Governor Sen. Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Rt Hon. Dennis Idahosa, for their idea of a novelty match in honour of the two.

The novelty match scheduled to take place on November 11 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is part of the activities lined up for the swearing ceremony the next day.

Pinnick, whose tenure as the NFF boss witnessed a lot of innovations in the history of football administration in Nigeria, expressed joy that Edo State is starting to use the power of football as a means of social engineering and empowerment.

“It gladdens my heart when my good friend and brother, Frank Ilaboya, told me of the novelty match planned to welcome the Governor-elect of Edo State.

“Honestly, this is the right way to go. I am excited that more and more government functionaries are beginning to key into the power of football as a means of social engineering. The power of football in the empowerment and engagement of youth is second to none. The youth’s restiveness and underemployment can be wiped out if the powerful tool of football is adequately deployed.

“Kudos to the organisers for this well-thought-out program. I would have loved to be around, but I have a prior international engagement for that period,” added the CAF executive member.

Spokesman of the organisers, Ilaboya, is also excited about the interest being shown by ex-internationals who are daily making enquiries to be part of the match.

“We are excited about this development; I mean the interest shown by these ex-internationals. Football fans in Benin and environs will have much to savour watching these ex-internationals once again,” Ilaboya, a former chairman of Edo State Football Association, reflects.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]