The management of Rangers International F.C ably led by Barrister Amobi Ezeaku, has expressed the club’s commitment towards having a sustainable football ecosystem not only in the country but in the continent and the world at large by taking steps to foster sustainability-minded participants within the sports community.
In a paper titled; ‘Sustainability In African Football; It’s Not Just About The Environment Anymore’, presented at the second African Football Agents Association (AFAA) conference that happened in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, between April 17–18, 2024, and had Rangers’ Director of Legal Services, Barrister (Mrs.) Nnenna Nwomeh Esq.
Representing the CEO, the club stressed that sustainability presents multifaceted challenges and opportunities that require comprehensive strategies for long-term success.
“African football boasts a rich heritage and immense potential, yet it grapples with numerous challenges that hinder its sustainability. Issues such as inadequate infrastructures, financial instability, governance deficiencies, and lack of youth development programs plague the continent’s football landscape.
While African nations have produced world-class talent and experienced sporadic successes on the global stage, sustained progress remains elusive without addressing these systemic issues,” posited the young club chief.
It further stated, “The reliance on external funding, often from non-transparent sources, exacerbates financial vulnerabilities and compromises the autonomy of football federations. This reliance undermines the ability of African football associations to invest in grassroots development, infrastructure upgrades, and administrative capacity building, thereby perpetuating a cycle of dependence and underperformance.”
The FIFA Masters Certificate holder further buttressed, “Sustainability in African football transcends the traditional focus on environmental conservations to encompass economic viability, social responsibility, and good governance. Addressing the industry’s systemic challenges requires a holistic approach that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and collaboration among all stakeholders. Through initiatives such as creating an African Football Stakeholders Working Group and straightening enforcement of FIFA regulations, the continent can unlock its immense footballing potential while advancing the principles of sustainability and fairness for future generations.”
Barrister Ezeaku, in the paper, concluded thus; “As a member of the global community, Rangers International F.C and indeed the Enugu State Government of Nigeria is committed to doing what it can to help mitigate climate change and is also committed to taking steps to foster sustainability-minded participants within the sports community and throughout the state by implementing sustainable solutions to address local and global challenges.”
Rangers, the only club in the continent to be represented at the well-attended conference that had FIFA and CAF bigwigs on the ground made available its replica jerseys for the FIFA museum in Switzerland.
