By Silvernews
Former President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Chief Fan Ndubuoke, has alleged that football authorities in the country are deliberately working against the success of Emmanuel Amunike, warning that vested interests may deny the former international a fair chance to thrive as a coach in the country.
Ndubuoke made the remarks during a one-day lecture organised by the SWAN Imo State chapter, where he claimed that Amunike’s potential success could threaten those currently controlling the administration of football in Nigeria, particularly regarding the Super Eagles coaching position.
“If Emmanuel Amunike becomes coach and does well in any club, it will threaten the position of those who are in football authorities in the country because Nigerians will begin to ask questions on why he was not employed by the federation to manage the Super Eagles,” he said.
The former SWAN president also took a swipe at the management of the nation’s sports sector, describing it as lacking transparency and accountability. He likened the system to a “Ponzi scheme,” alleging that funds are routinely expended without proper scrutiny.
He further urged the National Sports Commission (NSC), noting that the commission is functioning without a governing board as stipulated in its establishing law. According to him, this raises concerns about the legality of financial transactions carried out under the current structure.
Ndubuoke urged sports journalists to remain steadfast in their duty as watchdogs of society, emphasising the need for ethical reporting and accountability within the sports sector.
The lecture, themed “Balancing Truth and Loyalty: Ethical Responsibility in Sports Reporting,” drew participants from across the sports media landscape and was widely seen as an eye-opener to the way sports is run in the country.
