Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting
FORMER Nigerian international footballer, Sam Sodje, has clarified that his encouragement of fellow ex-internationals seeking leadership positions in Nigerian sports administration should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any candidate for the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Sodje said he remained committed to supporting former internationals who wished to contribute to the administration and development of sports in Nigeria but stressed that such support did not automatically translate into an endorsement.
In a statement clarifying his position, the former footballer said he had consistently maintained that the time was right for capable ex-internationals to make themselves available for leadership positions in the country’s football administration.
He explained that, in line with this belief, he had made himself available for discussions and engagements with former internationals interested in sports administration, offering support in various ways to advance the Nigerian sports sector.
However, Sodje expressed concern that some of his encouragement had been misconstrued as an endorsement by certain former internationals, whom he described as highly respected.
According to him, some had subsequently used his image publicly in ways that suggested his support for their candidacies without obtaining his express approval.
He said the clarification was necessary to establish that his image should not be used as a campaign tool, either expressly or by implication, to present any individual as his preferred candidate for the NFF presidency.
“The purpose of this clarification is to therefore put on record, that presently my image should not be used as a campaign tool to expressly or impliedly for any person as my preferred candidate for the position of the NFF presidency,” he stated.
Sodje reiterated his willingness to support all former internationals aspiring to leadership positions in Nigeria’s sporting associations, regardless of the positions they seek.
He added that his continued support was motivated by the desire to ensure that the right people and approaches were adopted to promote the growth and development of sports in the country.
The former international, however, emphasised that endorsement was an entirely different matter requiring specific engagements, discussions and a proper assessment of each aspirant’s individual capacity to contribute meaningfully to Nigerian sports.
“The issue of endorsement is another kettle of fish altogether that requires special engagement and discussions with proper evaluation of the individual capacity in moving Nigerian sports forward,” he said.
Sodje concluded by wishing all former internationals seeking leadership positions in Nigeria’s sports sector success in their respective aspirations.
His clarification comes amid growing interest in leadership positions within Nigerian sports administration, particularly the NFF presidency, where the involvement of former footballers remains a significant subject of discussion.
