Home Sports Sunday Abe Reiterates Commitment to Players’ Welfare, Development, Professionalism

Sunday Abe Reiterates Commitment to Players’ Welfare, Development, Professionalism

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Chairman, Nigeria Players Board, Sunday Abe has reiterated the commitment of the board to the welfare, development and professionalism of Nigeria players.

He stated this in his address at the Nigeria Players Congress, which held in Akure, Ondo.

“It is my singular honour and privilege to welcome our special guests, dignitaries, Clubs Captains (delegates) members of the players board, operational board, members of the press, other Stakeholders, ladies and gentlemen to the 2024 Congress of Nigeria Football Players.

“This is the first Congress of the players union we are hosting after the recent major restructuring and transfer of ownership to the real owners of the union. The current or active players, in line with global best practices.

“Our resolve to take over the governance Board of the players Union is to enable us put an end to the lingering and unabated crisis which rocked the Union for  many years occasion by the dominant presence of Ex Footballers in the  governance Board of the union.

“As Serving Football Players, our decision to take over the governance Board is born out of the urgent need to take full responsibility of becoming masters of our own destiny, having regrettably realized the failures of our senior and retired  players  to accommodate the inclusion of current players in the Union Governance structure against best global practices.

“It is equally not out of place to mention the lingering crisis in the Union resulting in the emergence of new unions every where that were more preoccupied with the politics of Football,  than focusing on players welfare and Development.

“The new governance Structure is strategically and deliberately fashioned after the Governance and Administrative structures of the foremost and most successful players body in the world, the “ Professional Footballers Association (PFA) in England where the Players’ Board is made up of 95 percent current or active Football Players, while its Operational Board is  driven by  appointed  ex Footballers and Professionals from other related industry to run and manage the union on their behalf by focusing more in promoting players Welfare, development and Professionalism above all other considerations.

“The Players Board shall be using the structure of its Operational Board to carry out  its activities in strict compliance to achieving its set  goals and objectives  Which amongst others includes:

a) To help members (players) understand their purpose as a Player and as a Person for life;
b) To provide information, advice and Support Members (players) need to help them maximise the opportunities that comes with playing Professional Football;
c) To offer Educational, Financial and General Well-being Support to Members (players);
d) To Amplify Members (players) voice to ensure their voices are properly presented to the general stakeholders and Football governing bodiese) To Protect and enhance Members (players) Rights and Working Conditions by holding Stakeholders and governing Bodies Accountable;
f) To help members (players) Navigate Personal and Professional Challenges and prepare them for the Future;
g) To Protect and Support Members (players) For Football and For Life in line with global best practices and the Federation international football Professionals (Fifpro ) the world players Union body, minimum standard as enumerated below:

1. Creation of  awareness and membership of the national teams players with the union.

2. Having national teams member(s) as part of the players board.

3. The number of Professional leagues teams players, especially those in the elite leagues with the union as members.

4. Recognition by the national federation, the leagues bodies and the Sports ministry.

5. involvement of the union in national Association/ federation and the leagues.

6. The establishment of the national dispute resolution chamber (NDRC) in line with FIFA directives.

7. Negotiation of a standard players contract with the leagues or national federation.

8. A training camp for unemployed players/members for capacity and creation of Jobs.

9. An internet website for Data base for players.

10. Effective communication with players.

11. A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or Memorandum of Understanding,(mou) with the national association,/federation and or the leagues with clauses that focus on financial benefits for the union.

12. Private commercial sponsor or commercial agreement.

13. Getting important legal decisions for the players.

14. Creation of fund or investment,( Footballers Welfare Foundation) to protect the players and the union, if things get rough

“As mentioned earlier, there is no doubt one of the major hindrance or obstacle to the speedy development and progress of the players union in Nigeria, is deliberate polarisation of the union by ex players in conjunction with football administrators. The cure to this the is  creation of the players board largely made up of current players.

“We are very confident that the new governance Structure will  give all  Nigeria Football Players  under Contract in Nigeria  the opportunity to be part of decision making and taking process in all matters that affect their careers and future . It will offer a new era where the players body will be more concern in providing  opportunities to its members to develop and improve their careers and safeguard their future. It will provide the opportunity to restore the dignity of  members  through systematic engagement  and constructive dialogue with Football governing bodies to get the best for Nigeria football and Footballers.

“Finally, I will like to appeal to the clubs captains, my colleagues who are  delegates of  the Congress and the rest of our members in the leagues to collectively stand in solidarity behind the union as that is the only we can achieve our collective goals and aspirations. There is no doubt that we have made ourselves proud by taking responsibility to pilot our lives,  and safeguard our future. Let us also be  aware that the days and years ahead will tough and demanding but we can win together if we continue to work together. The ark of the union is now on our shoulders, no longer on the cart, we shall get to the promise Land. I want thank everyone for coming. God bless Nigeria Football, God bless the union, solidarity.”

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