Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) has endorsed the candidacy of Marcelo Anyanwu, a seasoned coach and football administrator, as the next president of the football house as Nigeria Football Federation prepares to elect new Executive Committee members who will oversee the affairs of the nation's football for the next four years.
The NFF set September 30 as the date for the election, which will take place in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, following its general meeting last Thursday. YSFON is confident he possesses the magic wand to advance the nation's football.
In its letter of support, the top grassroots football development organisation named Marcelo as the best qualified candidate to succeed Amaju Melvin Pinnick as team captain.
According to the statement Marcelo, who serves as youth team football coach at the 2011 National Sports Festival held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as well as Kaduna State YSFON, Nigeria Football Supporters Club, and Nigeria National League Brand Ambassador, is a firm believer in grassroots football development and a core driver of infrastructural facilities for an enabled and enhanced football environment, describing him as the man to take Nigerian football forward.
The body while explaining that it took the decision after looking at the profiles of other candidates noted that Marcelo is a core YSFON member who shares in the Federation’s vision of a transparent football administration in the country which made it’s National Executive Committee and it’s National President to back him for the job; saying he’ll not fail.
” Marcelo the head scout and consultant of Gulf United football club Dubai 2nd division club in United Arab emirate has a very rich football administration back ground and we believe he’s the best person to take over from Amaju Pinnick.
This is a man with impeccable character and an administrator per excellence. He was once coach of MFM Football Club, coach Experts U-14 female Football Club and Arsenal Soccer school both in Dubai, United Arab Emirates as well as served as sports coach/facility manager of Universal Sports Club, Sharja, United Arab Emirates, Head coach of German school sharjah United Arab emirate among other numerous positions he has held in the football community both locally and internationally and this wealth of experience and many more he will bring in the running of Nigerian Football”, the statement said.
Meanwhile, Marcelo said he is vying for the position in order to change the narratives of Nigerian football even as he promised to put modalities in place for a unified philosophy, sports science, medical analysis and psychological development geared towards achieving greater geographical proximity of the country’s football.