For Arsenal fans in Nigeria, the mere thought that come next summer, they would be watching their darling team live in the country has already sent them to high heavens. There are plans by the London club to stage its pre-season training here in the country in appreciation of its teeming fans.
Already, Danja Sports, the company that is facilitating the visit of the English club has brought to the country two officials of the club to inspect the proposed stadia for the playing tour. If everything works according to plans, Abuja, Port-Harcourt City and Kano fans would have the singular honour and privilege of watching their darling club live.
When they inspected facilities at the the ultra-modern Abuja National Stadium early in the week, the two Arsenal officials, Mr. Angus Kinnear, Marketing Director and Mr. Paul Johnson, First Team Travel and Equipment manager expressed satisfaction with what they saw.
In addition, both of them spoke highly of Arsenal supporters in Nigeria as they publicly declared that apart from England, no other country supports Arsenal more than Nigeria. According to them, the moment they arrived the country, it was easy to feel and see the passion for their club in the eyes of Nigerians.
Consequently, Kinnear and Johnson explained that Arsenal FC would be coming to Nigeria next summer as part of its pre-season preparations so as to give the enthusiastic fans the life time opportunity to see their idols live. For Arsenal fans, it is gratifying to note that all the ‘big stars’ in the team would be part of the playing tour. The presence of their idols like Van Persie, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Alex Songo, Sagna Bacary, Abou Diaby, Chamakh Marouane, Gibb Kieran and a host of other stars in the club.
The Arsenal officials said it would be a mark of appreciation and honour to the fans if all the key members of the team are on the trip.
Johnson reiterated that there is no greater way to reciprocate the unflinching support of the fans than bringing the players down here to play. He assured that the fans would be carried along in the build up and the event proper.
What this entails is that come next summer, Arsenal fans would be joined by millions of other football crazy Nigerians to watch the Gunners, as Arsenal is fondly called, prepare for the next season right here in Nigeria and would certainly be a fantastic feeling.
It will be recalled that in 2009, two other English Premier League clubs, Manchester United and Portsmouth visited Nigeria for the same purpose and it was a memorable moment for their fans. Although no Nigerian has played for Manchester United, the club also boasts of millions of supporters and it was an opportunity for such fans to see live Sir Alex Ferguson and some of club’s stars. Although Portsmouth cannot boast of large followership in Nigeria, the presence of legendary Kanu Nwankwo and John Chukwudi Utaka in the team thrilled the fans.
The visit of the clubs indeed underscored the enormous respect which they have for the fans in Nigeria. This is not surprising because most European clubs have come to realize the passion with which the fans across the continent of Africa support them. Even though the mode of support around here may not reflect the modern trends as found in the developed countries, nobody can deny the fact that the fans are so passionate that they can even engage in bizarre acts to drive home their unflinching support.
Surely, it would amount to understatement to say that top English clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have become some sort of religious institutions being followed faithfully and closely by the fans. Unfortunately, unlike most religions which preach peace, fans of these clubs sometimes take their support to the extreme by becoming violet when result of matches go against them.
Just as in other African countries, Nigeria had witnessed situations where lives were lost and properties worth millions of naira destroyed in celebration of victories or reaction to defeats in the EPL.
The increasing interest in the English Premier League and by extension, other leagues in Europe by the local fans is undoubtedly caused by the inadequacies in the local league. Unlike in the past, the present standard of the Nigerian league has failed to meet the yearnings of the fans for good football. Consequently, the drift towards the European leagues is irresistible.
As it is, clubs in the foreign leagues are beginning to identify Nigeria as a market to be exploited maximally. Expectations are high that sooner than later, such clubs would form hugely rewarding partnerships with the indigenous football clubs in attempt to help them grow. Already, some of the clubs have set up football academies on the continent and such nations that are lucky to have the academies sited on their land are surely enjoying the fruits.
Nigeria is not in the league of such privileged countries yet but there are glimmers of hope with a state like Kano which is working hard to have Sunderland of England partner her for an academy. The former NFA chairman and astute football administrator, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima is heading the committee saddled with the responsibility of working out the modalities for the establishment of the football academy.
If Sunderland and Kano State government partnership can yield the desired fruits, it would engender more of such interests across the country. The foreign clubs have benefitted immensely from the talents that evolved from the dusty and bumpy pitches in Nigeria and should not doubt the possibility of recouping any of their investments in such academies.
In view of the foregoing, the visit of the officials of Arsenal FC officials in Nigeria to prepare grounds for next summer’s pre-season playing tour can be said to be a positive step. An official of Danja Sports, initiators and facilitators of the proposed Arsenal training tour, Alhaji Suleiman Dambatta told Shot! that the effort is geared towards rewarding the fans of Arsenal and helping the clubs that would be privileged to play against Arsenal to learn some lessons especially in management of materials and human resources.
He said: “Arsenal FC and Danja sports are working round the clock to have a memorable playing tour in the country. We may not restrict the clubs that would be playing against Arsenal to the local clubs only.
Last time Manchester United and Portsmouth were here and they played against Kano Pillars and also against each other. We may have a similar arrangement this time”.
Thus, the bottom-line remains that Arsenal’s decision to embark on a playing tour of Nigeria is a strong indication that sooner than later, most of the European clubs would make the country one of the venues for their pre-season training tours.
However, if the interest of the foreign clubs in the country is to be sustained, the challenges in the areas of sports facilities and security must be overcome by the appropriate authorities. Once this is done, the clubs may not hesitate to come here in attempt to practically demonstrate their gratitude to their teeming supporters.
For Arsenal fans in Nigeria, the mere thought that come next summer, they would be watching their darling team live in the country has already sent them to high heavens. There are plans by the London club to stage its pre-season training here in the country in appreciation of its teeming fans.
Already, Danja Sports, the company that is facilitating the visit of the English club has brought to the country two officials of the club to inspect the proposed stadia for the playing tour. If everything works according to plans, Abuja, Port-Harcourt City and Kano fans would have the singular honour and privilege of watching their darling club live.
When they inspected facilities at the the ultra-modern Abuja National Stadium early in the week, the two Arsenal officials, Mr. Angus Kinnear, Marketing Director and Mr. Paul Johnson, First Team Travel and Equipment manager expressed satisfaction with what they saw.
In addition, both of them spoke highly of Arsenal supporters in Nigeria as they publicly declared that apart from England, no other country supports Arsenal more than Nigeria. According to them, the moment they arrived the country, it was easy to feel and see the passion for their club in the eyes of Nigerians.
Consequently, Kinnear and Johnson explained that Arsenal FC would be coming to Nigeria next summer as part of its pre-season preparations so as to give the enthusiastic fans the life time opportunity to see their idols live. For Arsenal fans, it is gratifying to note that all the ‘big stars’ in the team would be part of the playing tour. The presence of their idols like Van Persie, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Alex Songo, Sagna Bacary, Abou Diaby, Chamakh Marouane, Gibb Kieran and a host of other stars in the club.
The Arsenal officials said it would be a mark of appreciation and honour to the fans if all the key members of the team are on the trip.
Johnson reiterated that there is no greater way to reciprocate the unflinching support of the fans than bringing the players down here to play. He assured that the fans would be carried along in the build up and the event proper.
What this entails is that come next summer, Arsenal fans would be joined by millions of other football crazy Nigerians to watch the Gunners, as Arsenal is fondly called, prepare for the next season right here in Nigeria and would certainly be a fantastic feeling.
It will be recalled that in 2009, two other English Premier League clubs, Manchester United and Portsmouth visited Nigeria for the same purpose and it was a memorable moment for their fans. Although no Nigerian has played for Manchester United, the club also boasts of millions of supporters and it was an opportunity for such fans to see live Sir Alex Ferguson and some of club’s stars. Although Portsmouth cannot boast of large followership in Nigeria, the presence of legendary Kanu Nwankwo and John Chukwudi Utaka in the team thrilled the fans.
The visit of the clubs indeed underscored the enormous respect which they have for the fans in Nigeria. This is not surprising because most European clubs have come to realize the passion with which the fans across the continent of Africa support them. Even though the mode of support around here may not reflect the modern trends as found in the developed countries, nobody can deny the fact that the fans are so passionate that they can even engage in bizarre acts to drive home their unflinching support.
Surely, it would amount to understatement to say that top English clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have become some sort of religious institutions being followed faithfully and closely by the fans. Unfortunately, unlike most religions which preach peace, fans of these clubs sometimes take their support to the extreme by becoming violet when result of matches go against them.
Just as in other African countries, Nigeria had witnessed situations where lives were lost and properties worth millions of naira destroyed in celebration of victories or reaction to defeats in the EPL.
The increasing interest in the English Premier League and by extension, other leagues in Europe by the local fans is undoubtedly caused by the inadequacies in the local league. Unlike in the past, the present standard of the Nigerian league has failed to meet the yearnings of the fans for good football. Consequently, the drift towards the European leagues is irresistible.
As it is, clubs in the foreign leagues are beginning to identify Nigeria as a market to be exploited maximally. Expectations are high that sooner than later, such clubs would form hugely rewarding partnerships with the indigenous football clubs in attempt to help them grow. Already, some of the clubs have set up football academies on the continent and such nations that are lucky to have the academies sited on their land are surely enjoying the fruits.
Nigeria is not in the league of such privileged countries yet but there are glimmers of hope with a state like Kano which is working hard to have Sunderland of England partner her for an academy. The former NFA chairman and astute football administrator, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima is heading the committee saddled with the responsibility of working out the modalities for the establishment of the football academy.
If Sunderland and Kano State government partnership can yield the desired fruits, it would engender more of such interests across the country. The foreign clubs have benefitted immensely from the talents that evolved from the dusty and bumpy pitches in Nigeria and should not doubt the possibility of recouping any of their investments in such academies.
In view of the foregoing, the visit of the officials of Arsenal FC officials in Nigeria to prepare grounds for next summer’s pre-season playing tour can be said to be a positive step. An official of Danja Sports, initiators and facilitators of the proposed Arsenal training tour, Alhaji Suleiman Dambatta told Shot! that the effort is geared towards rewarding the fans of Arsenal and helping the clubs that would be privileged to play against Arsenal to learn some lessons especially in management of materials and human resources.
He said: “Arsenal FC and Danja sports are working round the clock to have a memorable playing tour in the country. We may not restrict the clubs that would be playing against Arsenal to the local clubs only.
Last time Manchester United and Portsmouth were here and they played against Kano Pillars and also against each other. We may have a similar arrangement this time”.
Thus, the bottom-line remains that Arsenal’s decision to embark on a playing tour of Nigeria is a strong indication that sooner than later, most of the European clubs would make the country one of the venues for their pre-season training tours.
However, if the interest of the foreign clubs in the country is to be sustained, the challenges in the areas of sports facilities and security must be overcome by the appropriate authorities. Once this is done, the clubs may not hesitate to come here in attempt to practically demonstrate their gratitude to their teeming supporters.
