Well this certainly new, Nigerian
football legend Segun Odegbami has declared his intention to run for
the post of President of the Federation of International Football
Associations.
The election of the world football-governing body comes up on February 26, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland.
The position became vacant after current
president, Sepp Blatter, resigned his appointment in June after a series
of corruption allegations against his board.
A statement on Tuesday by Ade Adeagbo,
Head Campaign Team of Odegbami, stated, “African football legend and one
of the greatest Nigerian players of all time, Segun Odegbami, has
thrown his hat into the ring to contest the post of President of FIFA —
the international governing body of association football across the
world, with election scheduled to take place on February 26, 2016 in
Zurich, Switzerland.”
The
statement said the former Super Eagles captain had informed the Nigeria
Football Federation about his intention, as required by the electoral
guidelines and FIFA Statutes, as well as to the Federal Government
seeking their support.
Odegbami said FIFA needed a new leadership to help build its reputation after the scandal that rocked the football body.
He stated, “The current scandal at FIFA
is the organisation’s worst crisis in its 111 years of existence. Moving
forward, FIFA thus requires a new era of leadership that can restore
the dignity of the noble sport and that of this esteemed international
institution with global followership.
“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 organisation and its activities.
“The world is very interested in who
becomes the next President of FIFA, considering the current image and
state of this institution and I see myself fitting into this role”
The 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner and top scorer is among the most decorated sportsmen in Africa.
He holds the Member of the Order of the
Niger, 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 former Nigeria forward, scored 23
goals in 46 matches for the national team. On retirement, he has served
as an administrator, educator, writer, international media personality
and as Sports Ambassador of Nigeria.
The deadline for candidates to formally
present their nominations through their home federations, with other
supporting documents, is October 26. Candidates will also undergo an
integrity test, through FIFA’s ad-hoc election committee.
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