Assistant Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Kashimawo Laloko, has picked holes in the Nigeria delegation on a state visit to China, saying the Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, should have been included.
Laloko, who spoke to National Mirror in Lagos yesterday, stated that the relationship with the emerging super power in the Far East should have acknowledged the sports sector, especially as it pertained to the engagement of youths in the country.
"China is renowned to partner with many countries across the world, particularly in the area of building sports infrastructure and I thought the minister would have exploited the Chinese tour to open a relationship that would benefit both countries," Laloko, who is also the Director of Pepsi Football Academy, said.
"In building infrastructure, jobs will also be provided for the youths in the area of maintenance and we can only imagine the developmental impact if we have the Chinese build a stadium in each of the 774 local councils in Nigeria.
"Notwithstanding that the sports minister was not included in thepPresidential visit to China, however, I think Nigeria can still take advantage of this highlighted relationship in the interest of the country's sports development in the near future."
Laloko described China's latest diplomatic move of spreading development across the world as a welcome development for Nigeria in view of the country's position on Africa.
"I believe the sustenance of this relationship would help us to achieve accelerated sports development," he submitted.
National Mirror