Former Spokesman of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nosike Ogbuenyi, has urged the World Football Governing body (FIFA) to introduce an Over-40 World Cup for retired football stars.
Ogbuenyi made the call in Abuja after submitting a proposal for the competition to FIFA through the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) secretariat.
He said the proposed tournament would enable football fans worldwide to continue enjoying the skills of legendary players beyond their active careers.
He added that “the introduction of FIFA Over-40 World Cup will make the football-loving world to continue to watch the best of all time on the field of play for a longer period.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogbuenyi’s proposal followed the reported retirement of Argentine football legend, Lionel Messi, on Oct. 6.
The former two-time Special Assistant on Media to the FCT Minister said many talented Nigerian footballers become less visible after retiring from active football.
He listed former Super Eagles stars such as Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, Emmanuel Amunike, Obafemi Martins, Vincent Enyeama and John Obi Mikel among players that football fans would continually want to watch.
Ogbuenyi said the proposed competition should accommodate players aged between 40 and 65, adding that it would offer several benefits to footballers, fans and the game generally.
According to him, the tournament will promote fitness among retired players, keep football legends in the public spotlight and provide them with additional source of income.
He said it would enable former professionals to mentor younger players and contribute to football development in their respective countries.
The former FCTA spokesman added that the competition would give active players a clearer pathway beyond the demands of professional and international football.
He said “fans will equally have more opportunities to watch their football idols in action long after their retirement from mainstream competitions.
“The tournament could help discourage age cheating in youth and senior football categories.
“The prospect of competing in an Over-40 World Cup could motivate players to look forward to reaching the eligible age rather than falsifying their ages during their active careers.”
On eligibility, he proposed that only players who represented their countries at senior international level should participate in the competition.
He also suggested that players must have retired from senior international football before representing their countries in the veterans’ category.
Ogbuenyi said the tournament would be financially viable for FIFA, given the potential involvement of legendary players with global followings.
He identified television broadcasting rights and corporate partnerships as possible sources of revenue to support the competition.
Explaining the timing of his proposal, Ogbuenyi said Messi’s reported retirement provided an opportunity to draw global attention to the idea.
“I have found this period of the retirement of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi, the more auspicious time to submit this proposal.
“I first conceived the idea following Okocha’s retirement about 15 years ago but waited for a moment that could generate wider international interest.
“I have no personal interest in the proposal; I am a football fan seeking to promote greater entertainment through the game.
“I am not making any claims for bringing up this idea and putting it across through this proposal to FIFA.
“I am just writing as a football fan who wants the world to be happier through more football games entertainment.”
He expressed optimism that FIFA would consider and approve the proposal as an innovation capable of further enhancing the global game.
Ogbuenyi is currently an Assistant Editor with Premium Times, an online newspaper in Nigeria.
He had previously worked with Nigerian newspapers, including The Champion, The Comet, The Sun and ThisDay.
Discussion0