By Uzor Odigbo
Former Chairman of Gombe United Football Club, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, has condemned the N1.6 billion Broadcast Rights contract signed by Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and Chinese company StarTimes, saying it is totally against National Interest.
Recall that officials of NPFL and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) signed the N1.6 billion five-year broadcast rights deal with the management of StarTimes in Abuja on Thursday.
Gara Gombe who had earlier commented on the dangers of signing the contact he tagged “Unacceptable,” also responded to the NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye’s comments on Saturday.
READ ALSO
MultiChoice announces increment in prices of DSTV, GOTV
Gara Gombe said, “I am compelled by necessity to respond to Gbenga Elegbeleye, the appointed Chairman of the NPFL on his comments on Social Media over my position on the most scandalous Deal our football had witnessed in recent Times.
“Elegbeleye said those who know me or close to me should tell me that the NPFL Needs money so my 11m Dollars is welcomed. Elegbeleye also admitted having my number and we have been chatting since 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 in Elegbeleye but he is not ready to admit this error. All the Halleluyah-Amen followers of Elegbeleye including those who urged him on 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 post.”
He advised Elegbeleye to peruse the following. “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.
“In 20 years, how many of your type passed through the management of our League? How many names does our League have in the last 20 years.
“Secondly, when you were wining and dinning secretly with your Chinese friends for over 6 months, who did you tell? Where for once did you advertise inviting companies to bid or express interest for the league funding and Broadcast Rights? What was your selection process?
“You said you need money, who did you ask to give you Money? Why put your eggs in one basket?
“I read where you said those who know me or close to me should tell me to come with my 11m dollars. I know you are desperate, that is why you negotiated that rip-off for Nigerian League. Your preferred Bidder, StarTimes had Six months, you should have also given Six months to whoever is interested to bid for the NPFL broadcast rights. That is the price you have to pay for lack of Transparency, openness, equal opportunity and inclusiveness.
“I am not surprised you accepted that ‘chicken change’ because you never managed even a road side Football Club so, you don’t know the value of a Premier league club and it’s Worth.”
Gara Gombe continued, “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 transparency and visibility of returns on investment.”
Gara Gombe highlighted what a good deal will do for the NPFL and Nigerian football in general, “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 astute Businessmen to discuss an 11m Dollars Project with you?”
The Sports business and Tourism magnet submits, “Perhaps until the day Gbenga is elected as NPFL Chairman, restore the Credibility of your Management, pay Referees, Commissions clubs by yourself then, one may consider giving you a chance to discuss a proposal like this.
“Those who suppose to be aware of the 11m Dollars project were dully informed by me. They hurriedly withheld the offer for 11 days only to come out and announce an embarrassing N1.6b a Year deal, as if Nigerians don’t really know what you are doing?
I repeat your STARTIMES DEAL is against NATIONAL INTEREST. It will not work”