The Kwara State soccer fraternity last week woke up to the news of dissolution of the hitherto board of Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin, led by erstwhile business mogul, Prince Oladimeji Thompson, by the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
This action by the state government is long overdue as to keen followers of the trends of things in the recent time at the club, particularly given the poor outing of the club at the last season Abridge League which ultimately led to the its relegation into the lower league.
It is the fourth time Kwara United will be seeking promotion to the NPFL since the restructuring in 1997 when it changed names.
Kwara United relegated in 2008 and returned to the top division a year later. It suffered similar fate again in 2013 but returned in 2014. Ditto in 2015 before their recent relegation to the lower league this year 2019.
However, the most important role in a football club like a corporate house is that of the Chief Executive Officer. The CEO is the one who oversees the functioning of the organisation, communicating with people from various departments.
In a football club, one of the chief activities of the chairman is negotiating contracts and signing new players in consonant with the marketing department of the club.
The importance and the role of the football manager is what differentiates football clubs from corporate houses.
The manager of the football club is the one responsible for the results on the pitch. His work is to ensure that the targets given to him are met by the end of the season.
He works closely with his board in trying to get new players to the club. And for a manager, two of the most important individuals are the Director of Football and the Head Scout.
A football club is different from any other business entity. The stakeholders, in this case are the fans. The fans’ investment is their support, while their return comes in the form of the emotional gratification all football fans desire, be it through chasing promotion, surviving relegation or a cup run.
Majority of clubs in Nigeria have suffered financial problems as a result of relegation, meaning that often they are paying top league level wages whilst competing in the second or third tier.
If the level of player wages were contractually guaranteed dependent on the division in which clubs compete, they would be on better financial footing.
These measures, coupled with sound managerial principles would assist in guaranteeing the future existence of Kwara United, thus providing fans with returns on their emotional investment — namely, a club and a team to support.
Any additional revenue the club receives (be that from contracts or gate receipts) can be redistributed to the players through bonuses.
In order to guarantee the future of our darling team, the worlds of football and business have to work together. For too long, football clubs administrators have not followed the basic principles of running any successful business.
The incessant involvement of the state government in football administration is inimical and has hampered its growth in Kwara State. Globally, football club’s administration is capitalistic devoid of the dejavu practices which is obtainable here.
X-raying the performance of the club under his tutelage, the former chairman, Oladimeji Thompson attributed paucity of fund as major battle confronting club in the recent time.
“My tenure was very good with the team. I promoted the club to top league twice and I have no regrets whatsoever being the chairman of Kwara United.
“I would have to apologise for the recent position of the club for not being in the league. It has to do with some challenges which bedeviled the club in the recent time.
“I pledge to give the new board of Kwara United my overwhelming support and they should count on me anytime,”
Similar to this is the position of some stakeholders in the sector who saw the emergence of the new board as a round peg in a round hole.
Bayour Issah a veteran sports analyst who lauded the appointment of Kumbi Titiloye as a welcome development, said.
“I strongly believe if we cooperate with the new board, the club will be back to its glory.
“The former chairman and his board did their best, the only minus is that it is unfortunate that the team went on relegation.”
Stakeholders who spoke to this medium described the new board appointment as well deserved.
Bashir Jimoh, the current SWAN chairman on his part set agenda for the new board.
“I can only advise them to look at the position of the team viz-a-viz the yearnings of Kwarans.
“The cardinal motives of an average Kwara football enthusiast is to see Kwara United back to the premier league,” he said.
If all these inputs could be duly followed, the much awaited shift in the football development of the state will be achieved.
For us to herald a new dawn in Kwara Football, the government and the new board of Kwara United must proactively jettison the status quo, incline with the modern practices as it is done elsewhere.
Firstly, employ a manager who knows what he is doing and this seems apparent from the current board. They are all technocrats.
Two, unless absolutely necessary, do not sack him — continuity breeds success and it allows a good manager to buy into and develop an idea.
Thirdly, use all income generated to run the club — players need to be paid fairly and on time.
Fourthly, to generate further income, ensuring the most is made through shirt sponsorship opportunities and corporate sales (all, of course, while ensuring all fans who want to support the club are not priced out of doing so).
The empowerment of the board is both timely and relevant. There will be welcome synergies and changes, but once it is accessed, it will never go away and will not ever be discounted by any progressive club leadership team.
In addition, club should be conscious of the expectations of Kwarans and get Kwara United back to the Nigerian Professional Football League.
Therefore, the onus is now on the new board under the leadership of Kumbi Titiloye to live up to expectation in football management in the state.
