Siasia Resign honourably –Lagos SWAN

Edoreh, Lagos SWAN Chairman

The only and authentic SWAN in Nigeria has spoken

Sometimes ago on this blog I mentioned that there is no more Sports Writers Associationof Nigeria (SWAN) in the country and what we have is SWINE. Someone called my attention to the sweeping statement I made about my professional (I think it is more of a vocation by their conducts and character) body. That was the point to which I made two exceptions. I did say Lagos stands tall while Kwara stands far aloof away.

With the deliberations and the quality of intellection of the emergency General Meeting of the Lagos SWAN I am not the least surprised. The quality of its leadership is exhibited by the quality of its membership and the robust discourse. If the content of the communiqué is reported, the correct value will be lost thus, I decided to reproduce it verbatim.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE LAGOS SWAN GENERAL MEETING HELD OCTOBER 12, 2011, AT THE LAGOS SWAN SECRETARIAT.

Following the failure of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, Lagos SWAN convened an emergency meeting to examine the circumstances that led to the failure, determine the extent of loss to the sports industry and the economy and the damage to national psyche.

After much deliberations the assembly noted that the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the Nations Cup is not only a unacceptable national embarrassment in view of our international image but also a shocking development that has caused huge financial loss to the sports industry and economy in general in view of the huge business opportunities that has been denied Nigerians thereby.

After examining the circumstances of the failure, it was decided as follows:

Resolution One:

That Coach Samson Siasia should honourably resign as the national team coach. That in the event of his failure to do so, the Nigeria Football Federation should hesitate to sack him.

Reasons:

In arriving at this position, the assembly pointed out that the terms of contract required of him not only to qualify the team to the Nations Cup but also take the team to, at least, the semi-finals of the competition. The assembly noted that he has obviously failed to deliver on these terms.

It was also pointed out that on the basis of national justice and minimum standard of judgment, Coach Amodu Shuaibu qualified the team to the 2002 World Cup and also got a bronze medal at the Mali 2002 Nations Cup but was sacked. That same Amodu was called back and he qualified the team again to the 2010 World Cup and returned with a bronze medal at the Angola 2010 Nations Cup but was sacked again on the basis of not meeting up with expected standard.

Therefore, it would be incomprehensible for the nation to retain a coach who could not even qualify the team to the Nations Cup. That the nation should maintain a minimum standard of judgment in this matter in which case Coach Siasia has obviously fallen short of any remedy.

That coach Siasia's management style is suspect as evidenced in the several disputes and bickering with his players by which team cohesion and team spirit was destroyed ahead of the crucial encounter with Guinea.

That, even technically, there are so many curiousities in the approach he adopted to the game and these led to the failure of the team.

That though he made considerably impressive outings with the youth teams, his stint with football clubs like JUTH FC, Heartland FC and Ocean Boys FC showed clearly that he has not attained the status of handling the senior national team.

That the media and the Nigerian people may have hastily overrated Coach Siasia and presumed on his capability but that the recent developments have proved that he is not yet competent to handle the mandate thrusted on him and that the earlier we realised this mistake and make amendments the better for the nation.

Resolution Two:

That we appreciate that, in recent times, the Nigeria Football Federation has been able to handle the issue of the funding of the national teams and arranging the necessary friendlies but it has failed in its general goals as evidenced in the failure of the female national team to qualify for the All Africa Games; the failure of the male national team to qualify for the All Africa Games; the failure of the U-17 team to qualify for Africa Youth Championship; the failure of the CHAN team to qualify; and now the failure of the senior national team to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Recommendations:

Under the circumstances, Lagos SWAN makes the following suggestions:

A. That the NFF should take a critical look at its management and recruitment policy and processes for coaches and other technical personnel.

B. That the technical department of the NFF should be made more functional and energised with technical experts to drive its programmes rather than allow the technical committee which is composed mainly of non-experts to usurp its functions.

C.  That the nation has to take a second look at the issue of engagement of ex-internationals in coaching, administration and management because all the results have shown that whereas they were good as players, many of them seem to be lacking in required skills for management and administration. It is suggested that before they are assigned to handle national teams, they should have acquired relevant qualifications as coaches, administrators and managers and be seen to have garnered some track records of performance through clubs and other formations.

Resolution Three:

That we recognise and appreciate the efforts of the federal government through the National Sports Commission to fund the national teams but advise that the NSC should not relent in relating to the sports institutions and bodies to insist on minimum standards and reasonable levels of proficiency for more effective development of our sports.

Signed:

Fred Edoreh                                                                          Emma Njoku

Chairman                                                                               Secretary