The president of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah in an interview with supersports TV yesterday boasted that FC Ifeanyi Ubah is set to revolutionize football in the country. He stated that by the time the club unveils half of the plans they have for the industry, Nigeria football must have gotten to an international standard.
Enjoy the excerpts below as captured by Ikechukwu Emeka Onyia.
Question :-
You are more into oil and gas, why did you choose to go into sports, to own a football club?
*Ifeanyi Ubah :-
I was a former player. Football is a hobby, I love football and I believe that it is what brings souls together. So for me , it is the passion and I am enjoying it.
Question :-
Of the 20 clubs in the NPFL, there are only four privately owned clubs. We are talking about Giwa FC, MFM, Ikorodu United and FC Ifeanyi Ubah. What has been the journey so far, the experience owning a football club?
*Ifeanyi Ubah :-
There has been a lot of improvement since we came on board. It used to be one. It used to be Giwa and last season it was Giwa and FC Ifeanyi Ubah.
This season we are four. So, it is growing. Before now, it used to be the government owned clubs only. I am glad it is growing. For me, it is not about personal glory but glory for the nation.
That is the reason private investors have to come into Nigerian football and let's see how we can develop it.
Question:-
It is interesting that you mentioned the growth of football not only in the country but also in the continent, may be that was what inspired you to bring foreign players into Nigeria?
*Ifeanyi Ubah :-
When you talk about sports today, it is something that educates and brings Nigerians together. It is also trending, it is good for the heart and health. Football is a passion. We are investing heavily and we want to take Nigerian football to the next level.
Question :-
We understand that FC Ifeanyi Ubah is embarking on a huge development of facilities in Nnewi. Can you tell us more about it?
*Ifeanyi Ubah :-
Yes! Nnewi is a big city, everybody is coming to Anaedo; and everybody is coming to Anambra State. And you need to see the crowd during our home matches. I can't imagine such a huge crowd last two Sundays when we hosted 3SC in our first home match. You need to see how people were packed into the stadium. People trooped into the stadium to watch our team with the Brazilians. You could see the enthusiasm of the fans. It was great.
Question:-
How did you lure these Brazilians to Nigeria? How did you sell the idea to them?
*Ifeanyi Ubah :-
Well, one must be proud of his country. You must always maximize your potential. You must not feel inferior before others. Nigeria is a big country. We are helping them by showcasing them to the world.
By bringing them to Nigeria, we have made a point internationally that Brazilians can come to Nigerian and be employed to play football. It is all about taking Nigerian football to the next level. I believe the sky will be our starting point.
Question :-
Does the name Moise Katumbi , the owner of TP Mazembe inspire you? They are doing well in Africa. They are building wonderful facilities like you are trying to do here. Is he of any influence to your dream about taking Nigerian football to the next level as he is doing with TP Mazembe?
*Ifeanyi Ubah :-
Katumbi is my friend. I spent 12 years in DR Congo. I know him very well and we share a lot in vision together. You can see what TP Mazembe are doing from Lubumbashi where they are based. I sincerely believe that you don't need to be in the capital city, Abuja or Lagos to be a big club.
We are a local club but of international standard. I believe we are not doing badly. We still have one match to go, if we win that match we hope to be on top of the log. For me, step by step, we are taking Nigerian football to the next level.
Question :-
How far can you sustain this passion?
*Ifeanyi Ubah :-
I am coming from a different style. Some people said MKO Abiola didn't go far. They also cited Leventis United and others. The point is that, they were not investing in football. It was about their names.
You cannot compare what we are doing now and what they did those days. We are building a games village. We are building double football pitches - double stadium. We are developing a five star hotel, shopping plaza, several infrastructure in one city - we call it a mini city.
You have so many facilities in the same place. I am also preparing for my retirement. I started very early in life. I started at under 20. So I have done half of my adult age working earlier in life.
So I have to retire very early. It is a major project. Some clubs can come here. We can host about 10 clubs in a pre-season at the same time.
Question :-
How long would it take to complete the games village and the main stadium? Where will your team be playing and what are their capacities?
*Ifeanyi Ubah :-
The first stadium is about 17,000 sitting capacity. The second about the same capacity but a major difference is that one will be artificial playing turf while the other will be a natural grass turf.
I believe before the end of the season they will be ready. At the moment we have gone past 70 per cent and that is just in six months.
Question :-
What is your vision for FC Ifeanyi Ubah?
*Ifeanyi Ubah :-
We will like to be remembered as a club that has added value to the image of Nigeria. We are contributing our own quota towards the growth of the society.
Question :-
In recent years, you have followed the national teams to major matches outside the country. We recall you followed the Olympics team all the way to Ghana with coach Siasia. What was the motivation?
*Ifeanyi Ubah :-
Football has always been part of my life. I have always followed Nigerian teams- the Nigerian football supporters club with Dr Rafiu Ladipo.
Almost all the coaches one way or the other have benefitted from our social responsibilities, either from my business or the foundation.
We have been following Nigerian football everywhere. We have been to Brazil, Congo etc. And there is no present Nigerian coach that does not have one-on-one relationship with me.
Question :-
You got Muhamane Cisse from FC Leopards. How easy was it to convince him to come and play in Nigeria?
*Ifeanyi Ubah :-
It is the same thing with the coming of others from Brazil. Some of these players may be on transit to showcase their skill.
We may require Supersports to market them for us. We can send them to where they are going and make some money.
The important thing is to get to play here. You see the Brazilian scored in the match against 3SC.
We have players from Niger, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire. We also have the former captain of Ghana's Asante Kotoko and the Brazilians. It is a mix, now when it comes to the club, everyone is working hard.
You can claim that you are a super star and you can't prove it. There is stiff competition such that if you don't work hard, you will not make the team. And we are enjoying it.
Question :-
Ifeanyi Ubah has set a record in Nigeria by bringing in some Brazilians, no one has done that before. But I would like you to shade light on the issue concerning the transfer of the club from Gabros International to FC Ifeanyi Ubah.
*Ifeanyi Ubah :-
I want to say that the issue has been sorted out. Two of the stadiums will soon be ready.
On the issue of Gabros, I don't want to make any mention of it because the press at one time was awash that the club has been taken over. Clear conscience fears no accusation.
Yes, we had a little misunderstanding on where the stadium is situated. There has been litigation between the owners of the land the proprietor of former Gabros and a community called Nza community in Ozubulu. Nza community has been in court for 16 years. When eventually we bought the club and the pitch, there was no information about the litigation on the land. We took over the pitch we were faced with litigations and we said gentlemen 'we need clearance on this. That we didn't want to get involved with this community issues.
We either get it resolved or get a safe arrangement on ground. We are working for the fans and didn't want it to be seen as Ifeanyi Ubah has come to take a community land.'
We are resolving it, even though we are in court. It has been on for 16 year but we have to play football. We have the transfer of the club and everything legitimately secured.
We are working and developing the club, including the facilities.
Question :-
You have so many big teams to play, which one do you consider a threat?
*Ifeanyi Ubah :-
We have to look at MFM, the boys are young and youthful players. We also have Kano Pillars, but before we will settle score with Pillars, they need to give us our player. One of our player, who collected money from us and is now playing for them. So we are taking him to court.
I don't think he will play against us, once he is not in that team, we will face them. We will make sure we make him pay us.
MFM is like the Leicester in the EPL. If you look at them, they are coming up with confidence, such teams can be dangerous and you don't underrate them.
They can spoil your day. I think MFM and Pillars are the team to watch.
Question :-
Where do you see FC Ifeanyi Ubah at the end of the season?
*Ifeanyi Ubah :-
We are building a team. We are aiming at being the best.
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The Genius With Passion for result...
Ikechukey Emeka Onyia©2016
Nnewi, Anambra State.
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