Wednesday 2 September 2015

Segun Odegbami To Run For FIFA Presidency


Nigeria's retired great soccer star, Patrick Olusegun Odegbami has declared his interest to run for the presidency of the world football governing body FIFA.

According to a statement issued by Mr Odegbami,  he stressed the need why FIFA at this point in time deserves a strong leadership which he is willing and capable to offer.

"Moving forward, FIFA thus require a new era of leadership that can restore the dignity of the noble sport and that of this esteemed international institution with global followership. To address the issue will demand that FIFA purges itself, launders its image, restores its reputation and reinstates integrity into its activities and operations. Times like this call for all concerned members of the global football family to contribute to the actualisation of renewed objectives for FIFA by electing a deserving and qualified person, with the right character that can achieve the desired goals and restore confidence and integrity to the organization and its activities. The world is very interested in who becomes the next President of FIFA, considering the present image and state of this institution and I see myself fitting into this role”.

Spokesman for Segun Odegabami's campaign team Dr Ade Adeagbo, has said that the Nigerian Footbal Federation has been notified about Mr Odegbami's intention as required by the electoral guidelines of FIFA statutes as well as to the Federal government seeking support.

Nicknamed 'Mathematical Odegbami', Segun was famous for his skill on the ball, his agility and precise shots . During his footballing days, he played for the Shooting Stars of Ibadan his entire career, from 1970 to 1984. His last game was the 1984 African Champions Cup final defeat to Zamalek of Egypt.

Segun Odegbami is among the most decorated sportsmen in Africa. He holds the Nigerian national honor as a Member of the Order of Niger (MON), the Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Management, FIFA/Mastercard African Players of the 20th Century award, an Honorary Doctorate Degree (Sports) from Bradley University, Illinois, USA, and an Ambassador of the 1-Goal Education-for-All World Cup 2010 Campaign.

The position of the Presidency of FIFA became vacant when Sepp Blatter resigned his appointment in June 2015 after a series of corruption allegations against him and the board.

An election would hold in Zurich Switzerland on February 26th 2016 to determine who the next President of FIFA would be.

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