Reps fault Eagles ban

Hon.Dimeji Bankole

House of Representatives yesterday faulted the decision by President Goodluck Jonathan to ban Nigeria from international sporting activities for two years, over Super
Eagles’ lackluster outing at the ongoing World Cup in South Africa.

The federal lawmakers however pleaded with President Goodluck Jonathan to rescind his decision.

The Super Eagles were kicked out of the competition in the first round after losing 0 – 1 to Argentina in the opening game, 1-2 to Greece and drew 2 -2 with South Korea in their last
group match.

Irked by the poor outing President Jonathan on Wednesday announced the ban on the country’s national football teams from participating in international
competitions for two years.

Hon Emmanuel Jime had in a motion during yesterday’s sitting urged the President to rescind the decision while the Committee on Sports should
conduct investigation into our participation at the Mundial.

Jime said if the ban is allowed to stay, it would also attract additional sanction from FIFA as well as slow down the development of football in Nigeria.

His words: "The withdrawal of Nigeria from all international competitions means that the country’s football will be in the wilderness."

Jime said the dismal outing of the team at the tournament was not enough to warrant the decision by the President, saying that it was important to
go beyond the performance of the team and look at the pre-tournament
preparation.

Femi Gbajabiamila who supported the motion said football was a unifying factor in the country that had calmed Nigerians down even at their
lowest

He regretted that prior to the ban announced by President Jonathan, there was no programme put in place to take the country’s football through the period.

In his own contribution Chief Whip, Hon Emeka Ihedioha described football as unifying factor in the country that had gulped so much money.

Ihedioha called for caution in a bid to reposition the team while canvassing a reorganization of football in the country.

Champion.