Sam Sodje slams political leaders over patronage of foreign leagues

Ex-football international and former Super Eagles defender, Sam Sodje, popularly called Super Sam, has expressed his displeasure at Nigerian political leaders who patronise foreign football leagues at the detriment of the local league.

He frowned at the rate Nigerian governors and other government officials openly promote fan clubs of foreign football clubs, describing it as a gross disservice to the country’s football growth and development.

In a statement signed by Sodje, he said if such generous love and support were extended to local football clubs, football lovers in the country would follow suit.

“From the start, I want to make it clear that our government officials have the constitutional right to be associated with any supporters’ clubs of their choice as this right cannot be taken away from them in any disguise.

“However, I want to, herein, point out the positive developmental effects that regular government officials, such as governors, ministers, NFF, etc. visits to our stadia on match days will have on the promotion of our football league and its development effects in the country.

“It is my clear belief that there will be a remarkable improvement in the number of supporters coming into our stadiums where government officials are able to make it a point of duty to come to the stadium to watch our league games on match days as they currently do during match days in other parts of the world,” he said.