The voice of a “significant other” on the NPFL
By Professor Emmanuel Ojeme
A significant other in social psychology represents a phenomenon of great importance which cannot be ignored. Whenever it is identified or plays a role, it must be given its due consideration or recognition in decision making by an organisation, nation, state or individual. A significant other’s opinion about any issue or solution to a problem is usually considered by concerned authorities. For example, the voice or opinion of a renowned Professor of Sports Science, who is a significant other, based on his expertise, is considered an important perspective on the sports issue under consideration.
Significant others, therefore, are opinion leaders, experts and leaders in any field of human endeavour.
Arising from the foregoing, it is thus important that when Nigeria’s most esteemed footballer, Mr. Jay-Jay Austin Okocha, raised his voice in faraway Nairobi, Kenya to express his opinion about the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), it must be taken seriously because he is considered as a significant other on the subject matter of football. He stated his opinion about the quality of the NPFL while speaking to a reporter and complained:
1. about his low appetite for the League because of its poor organization
2. That the NPFL is lower in quality compared to the leagues in South Africa and the North African countries.
He further sarcastically stated that he would rather watch the European Leagues than watch the NPFL games, which are scarcely on television. Austin Jay-Jay Okocha spoke when he was on tour to Nairobi, Kenya as a dignitary and special guest on the occasion of the presentation of the English Premier League trophy. That was a spectacular event.
The critique and sarcasm of Jay-Jay Okocha on the poor organization of the NPFL might be a hard hit, biting and deeply penetrating harsh words which should not be wished away but should rather be taken as a cognitive dissonance to the managers of the League. A cognitive dissonance in psychology is an expression of what an individual or organisation would not like to hear in unflattering and harsh language in order to force a rattling disequilibrium for necessary corrective action to be taken.
Jay-Jay Okocha’s critique of the NPFL should be taken as a cognitive dissonance which should elicit a positive and productive reform of the League.
It is common knowledge that the NPFL needs:
1. To stabilize its games schedule which is currently uncertain and vulnerable to postponement
2. Create minimum standards for any stadium that must host its games
3. Prescribe minimum organizational standard for the football clubs
4. Ensure all games are on television
5. Prescribe minimum welfare standards for players and coaches
6. Ensure unbiased officiating
7. Mandate all clubs to have an organizational structure and registered fan base
8. Mandatory private sector shareholding for all participating clubs instead of the current prevalence of government ownership of clubs.
9. Prescribe minimum player kits requirements
10. Prescribe minimum personnel requirements for each club and enlistment of established attributes of football clubs as professional social organizations and systems.
Having stated the foregoing, it is equally important to acknowledge the fact that the NPFL is a League operated by the Nigeria Football Federation in a socioeconomic and political environment that impacts on its capacity to deliver quality football league. In other words, there is a direct correlation between the quality of the NPFL and the shortfalls of the larger society in which it is operating. Nigeria suffers from (a) insecurity (b) poor electricity delivery (c) poor road infrastructure (d) non industrial economy (e) high inflation (f) low investment in sports development. It is conceivable that it could be a herculean task for any organization involved in the endeavour aimed at delivering quality or high standard football League.
Mr. Jay Jay Okocha, therefore, spoke the minds, of millions of Nigerians who bond with or glue to, the European League of the EPL, Bundesliga, La Liga or the Italian League which satisfy their ferocious appetite for quality football. It is an osmotic social psychology and we must put our house in order and bring quality to our football League. Thank you Jay-Jay for speaking up. Your harsh and courageous words can only be expected to inspire reform and innovation in Nigerian football.
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By PROFESSEMMANUEL OJEME
EMAIL:successojeme@yahoo.com
