Why Hajj Gafar Kicks Against Privatising Govt. Clubs

Hajj Gafar Kicks Against Privatising Govt. Clubs

By Niyi Busari

Proprietor, 36 Lions FC, Hajj Liameed Gafar has kicked against privatising government clubs in Nigeria, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

Gafar explained that no private club in Nigeria can afford to spend as much as the government clubs at present, adding that the some government clubs are paying a minimum of Five hundred thousand (N500,000) as salary for Nigeria Professional Football League players. He revealed that it will be difficult for private clubs whose major income is gotten through player transfer to pay players as much as N500,000 .

Speaking on Nigeria foremost sports WhatsApp platform Family United By Football (FUBF) he said, "The government clubs should not be privatise anytime soon because they are doing okay. The average salary by government club is N500,000 and an average professional ten career years. So multiplying N500,000 by 120 months that will give an average player N60 million. Subtracting player's life maintenance and sustaining his family throughout his career he will probably be left with N20 million. If government clubs are paying such amount. Most of the private bus are paying less because the only source of our income is player's transfer.

He admitted that private clubs in Nigeria are struggling as their income is solely depend on player transfer.

He lamented about the lack of means of income for private clubs saying it is difficult to secure sponsorship deals as well as club merchandising.

"With our system as a private with no gate takings, no TV right, no club merchandising.

"At 36 Lions, this is our 20 years, and i can tell you that we have not sold club merchandise worth N20,000.

"So, for me trying to privatise government crib in Nigeria is killing Nigerian football." He concluded.