The chairman of the Gombe State Athletics Association, Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, has slammed NPFL chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, over a sarcastic response to his claim that he has someone who can bring in $11 million a year to put the Nigerian league on television, while expressing his reservations about theA N1.6 billion five-year broadcast rights deal was signed with StarTimes.
The former chairman of Gombe United FC had described the StarTimes deal as unacceptable, scandalous, and insulting to Nigeria and stakeholders in its football soon after it was signed in Abuja on Thursday.
He questioned the rationale behind the deal, reckoning that the bidding should have been made public and that he has “someone who can bring in $11 million a year to put the Nigerian league on television.”
The fiery sports critic, who calls a spade by its name, asked the following pertinent questions:
“What was the yardstick used to bring in StarTimes? Was there a transparent way to bid? How come the bidding process was not opened up to the public for other companies to apply or express their interest? Everybody is celebrating a mere N1.6 billion, saying it is good for our football. What is good about it? We are talking of a mere N1.6 billion, not in US dollars. Enough of this insult to Nigerian football! Where in the world will StarTimes make such an offer?
Elegbeleye purportedly took to his social media accounts to respond to Gara Gombe’s assertions, asking him to bring forward the person who can pay $11 million a year.
Gara Gombe saw his response as belated and nonsensical, having put the cart before the horse as regards the unpopular StarTimes deal.
It is against this backdrop that he took to a popular WhatsApp platform on Sunday to further express his reservations about the subject and the unpleasant manner in which Elegbeleye responded to his initial comments.
His statement: “I am compelled by necessity to respond to Gbenga Elegbeleye, the appointed Chairman of the NPFL, to respond to his comments on social media over my position on the most scandalous deal our football has had in recent times.
“Gbenga said those who know me or are close to me should tell me that the NPFL needs money, so my $11 million is welcome.
“Gbenga admitted having my number, and we have been chatting since, but I did not call him to inform him about this huge opportunity; hence, he also does not need to call me. That is fine.
“Hon Godfrey Gaya tried to put some sense into Gbenga, but he is not ready to admit it.
“All the Halleluyah-amen followers of Gbenga, including those advising him to forget Gara Gombe that I am a distraction, I hope when the chips are down the admin will be magnanimous enough to remind all of us about these posts.
“In any case, Gbenga should check the following:
1. I did not contact you because you were not elected; you were appointed at the pleasure of those who appointed you, so I cannot discuss such a huge business with someone who has no security of tenure. How many of your types have passed through the management of our league in 20 years? How many names has our league had in the last 20 years?
2. When you were wining and dining secretly with your Chinese friends for over six months, who did you tell? For once, have you advertised that you are inviting bids or expressions of interest for the league funding? What was your selection process?
3. You said you needed money; who did you ask to give you money? Why put your eggs in one basket?
4. I read where you said those who know me or are close to me should tell me to come with my $11 million. I know you are desperate, which is why you negotiated that rip-off for the Nigerian league. StarTimes was given six months; you should be ready to also give six months to whoever is interested. That is the price you have to pay for a lack of transparency, equal opportunities, and inclusiveness.
5. I am not surprised you accepted that chicken change because you never managed even a roadside football club, so you don’t know the value of a premier league club and their worth.
6. It is without question that my effort would require the best effort and hard work for long-term gains. Our strategy will encourage real investors to come into the league because of the transparency and visibility of returns on their investments.
7. Is it not a shame that you have no credibility to pay referees, other match officials, and even the clubs? These stakeholders are paid directly by a third party, and you want any reasonable businessman to come and discuss with you a $11 million project?
8. Perhaps until you are elected league chairman and restore the credibility of your management by paying referees, match commissioners, and clubs yourself, then one may consider giving you a chance to discuss a proposal like this.
9. Those who are supposed to be aware of these $11 million projects were informed by me; they only tried to be clever by half by hurriedly withholding the offer for 11 days only to come out and announce an embarrassing N1.6 billion a year deal. As a Nigerian, do you really know what you are doing?
10. In conclusion,I repeat that your StarTimes deal is against national interests. It will not work.”
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