Dr Amos Adamu needs no introduction as far as Nigerian sports is concerned. Apart from leading defunct National Sports Commission (NSC) as its Director General, he organised a All Africa Games, the first of its kind in Nigeria, in 2003. Blueprint Weekend Sports crew sought his views ahead of 2018 World Cup in Russia among other issues.
Target need for Super Eagles, NFF
Our Super Eagles Players by now should understand that they are not going for just a jamboree in Russia. World Cup is not a tea party. They have to concentrate 100 percent. If a player loses concentration for a minute, it will cause a lot of damage to the team. Therefore, the Super Eagles should mean business when they are on the pitch until the final whistle. If you think you have won a game and lose concentration while celebrating a goal, your opponent may capitalize on your lack of concentration to score against you.
I’ m happy that the board of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are not fighting but going to the World Cup as one big family. If everything is put in place, it will help the players to perform well. If there are complaints on the part of the players, the Football Association should solve the problems immediately and not allow it to degenerate. And they shouldn’t wait for the President, but they can get back to him after nipping a problem in the bud.
The players are in good spirits and the Press have lived up to expectations by not criticizing anybody or preparations for the World Cup.
Normally, when I go to big games like the World Cup, I leave my mind open. We can come home after the first match or after the final. It depends on preparations. If you don’t have the confidence, you can come back after the first round. Players should forget that they have an association for now, because the NFF have done its very best for them to go and are now looking up to the players to show the stuff they are made of. The coach has a peaceful time and does not have complains. What is important is that the players should be helped by the coach to put in their best. They must also have the character to take it one game at a time and win matches as they come. They should not engage in permutations and not count on their chickens before they hatch.
Dream of an African at team World Cup
Russia is the host country and will prepare an atmosphere for them to win the World Cup and not for any other country. You are a loser if you complain about officiating in Russia. I always tell the team that they are going to Russia to play and should take whatever they see in Russia. They should not think that Russia will make it comfortable for them to come and win the cup over them. The Football Association should solve their complains secretly because Russia will capitalize on it to make it worse, because they wouldn’t want any other team to win the Cup. That is why they have to go with some money.
We are ripe to win the World Cup, but we must have the mentality of doing so. Many African countries are going without the mentality of winning but with inferiority complex. That’s why they don’t win. For instance, if they are afraid of Argentina, they will be shaking even before Lionel Messi would touch the ball. They should have the mentality that Messi is just like every other player. Referees have little soft spots for some teams so they should forget the referee and play their game because complaints against the referee won’t make any difference. All other things being equal, they should do their best and not complain on the field of play. They should have in mind that whatever they do that they should not see the referee as supporting other teams.
NFF should always be with the players when they get to Russia. They should solve problems they see in Russia and not rely on the host country. Don’t be surprised that Russia will not be prepared for Nigeria, so they should be prepared for anything in order not to be disappointed when they get to Russia. They should bear in mind that they are going to a bad environment and will make it there. Don’t think that Russia will give you anything extraordinary. They should solve their problems and forget that Russia exists.
“Adamu: I’m now a pastor, my alliance with Hayatou stands”
My relationship with Media as Sports Administrator
My best friends are Journalists. My philosophy in life is making friends rather than enemies because the truth is that no position of place is permanent. Anywhere you are, god positioned you there.
Sports are all about performance not ethnic or tribal consideration if you actually want to fulfil visible purpose. Sports anywhere in the world are media event. As a Sports Administrator, if you are going to any event especially when Athletes and officials are involved, you carry the media along. You can only do otherwise if you have something to hide. How will the public follow what happens anywhere in the world if Sports Writers are not there to talk about it? Once, I get the required result, I don’t care about abuses. I always engage the media in all I do
Hayatou connection
I don’t side with anybody when election is approaching. But I have a personal relationship with Issa Hayatou, which I don’t regret. He’s my friend and we’ve worked together for a very long time. And I have to support my friends’ quest. At that time, I didn’t have a vote in CAF, but we have worked for more than 20 years and the best I would have done for him was to give him my support. I’m friends with Amaju Pinnick and current CAF President, Ahmad, but I will choose Hayatou over any other because we have had a long existing relationship as friends.
Going spiritual
I have entered a theology school where I’m being trained as a Pastor. It’s good to serve God and show him appreciation after being with me all these years. No one can achieve anything if God is not with him.
