Imo FA board member, Ndubuisi Opara resigns, gives reasons for resignation
…. Appeals to fans not to feel bad about decision
Imo Football Association oldest serving board member and currently the Chairman Imo YSFON Mr Ndubuisi Sunny Opara (Angy Lodge) has officially tendered his resignation as a member of the board after thirteen years of service.
Opara as the longest serving member has served for three tenures already and was in his fourth tenure when he finally threw in the towel.
In a one on one exclusive interview with the Statesman newspaper sports desk Correspondent, Opara revealed reasons for his resignation.
The former Nigerian International with over 27 caps in Nigerian jersey lamented that he cannot be a party to abnormalities and unfairness after his years of experience as a board member.
When asked why he threw in the towel at this crucial time, after many years of experience in the system, in his exact words, Opara has this to say;
“ I’m a man of integrity and honour and having said that I’m the oldest man in the FA and also the most experienced and I serve in dual capacity.
I’m the chairman technical in Imo state FA and also the chairman youth development and all this mentioned, if you don’t have the capacity you can not be one.
I have done this for more than 13 years which is three tenures and today I’m tendering my resignation for the reason that things are not the way it used to be. I advise people not to present there personal interest before the association. you have to protect the association. Imo FA is a house hold name that controls football round Imo state, the father of all teams, that is the place people worship because of their wealth of experience.
Something happened in the last FA cup competition but before I proceed, I want to remind us something Imolites.
Experience is the best teacher, it is not a crime if any team wins Heartland fc but there are things I want to remind us.
if you want to talk about pivate teams who have made fortune with FA cup today after Arugo Fc then Akwuegbu United, we played up to the quarterfinals of the national FA cup going into semi finals, our last match was between Akwaegbu United and Lobi stars United then, under Dominic Iofa. they couldn’t beat us that was in Ilorin precisely but for the reason that we cannot pay for flight ticket to go and represent the country abroad, NFF will never allow you to proceed because they believe in only government clubs and for this reason, why we want good and capable representation and there is no reason why heartland wouldn’t have been involved with any other team to go and represent the state, this is experience.
I give kudos to Ikukuoma having performed wonderfully well but I also know they cannot climb more than a certain level, we have to tell ourselves the truth. They will try their best but they will be stopped. Heartland has been good in the national FA cup competition with what we know about them even last year it would have been an opportunity to give them another way since the league is not okay, if today we succeed in getting to the finals the government will sponsor them to fly and play continental in the name of the state. You know that government cannot fly Ikukuoma to represent the state neither Fr Eburaja fc, this is experience, we ought to know that for the first time in history that our dear club is not involved in the FA cup.
Hear me out, I will not say it’s impossible but for the reason for making sure you produce a better side because it’s our duty in Imo FA to produce a better side that can represent us at the national level and the best side will be funded by the government because this is national competition.
So my dear brothers and sisters in football and sports, what i’m saying today is from my heart because a lot of my friends abroad have called me asking what is happening, even some of our brothers in the football house are asking me because they know who i am and they know me as an Ex Nigerian international.
I have played for flying eagles, I started from Orlando Pirates strong man, all these are my anticidents as a high profile professional so what is happening these days and the attitude being displayed in a house that is supposed to be controlling football, I cannot take it and for this reasons I have tendered my resignation so I wouldn’t be a part of it so my name won’t be spoiled.
I think of the association first before personal interest, I advise people to please think of the association first and the name it upholds.
All my fans and supporters, please don’t feel bad about my decision, have an integrity i uphold and a good name to protect because good name is better than money” Opara concluded.
