BY: NEWS EDITOR, APRIL 24, 2025/ 04:19PM

The Borno State Football Club Owners Association (BOFCOA) has pledged to reform its operations to boost the standard of football in the state.

This commitment was made on Thursday during a seminar/workshop for the North East Development Commission (NEDC) competition held at the El-Kanemi Warriors Sport Complex in Maiduguri.

It is themed 'Law of the Game, Match Procedures, and Security Challenges in Local Competition.'

Chairman of BOFCOA, Ibrahim Mohammed, said that the reforms, focusing on accountability, transparency, and other key areas, aim to earn the association respect and confidence from the people of Borno.

He expressed gratitude to those who attended the workshop and urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to improve football standards in the state.

'We want to make sure that our operations are transparent and accountable, and that we earn the respect and confidence of the people of Borno,' he said, praying for a successful tournament.

The workshop featured discussions on new football rules and changes, including topics such as handball, penalties, and substitutions, led by seasoned referee Ali Wulari.

Former FA Secretary, Babagoni Grema emphasized the importance of proper club management, highlighting essential elements like planning, objective setting, forecasting, resource allocation, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation.

He advised that a football club must have a standard laid-down structure and a constitution to guide its activities.

Amb. Danjuma Ibrahim, President of the Borno Veterans Football Association, stressed the significance of fair play and security in matches.

He cautioned against bribery and emphasized respecting referees' decisions and opponents.

'Fair play is fundamental when it comes to football.

'It's about following the rules and regulations of the game. You must respect the referee's decision and respect your opposition at any time,' he said.

Abubakar Abdulazeez (Bolori), a member of the organizing committee, highlighted the format of the upcoming NEDC tournament.

According to him, 48 teams will feature in the competition, divided into six groups with eight teams each.

Each team will play seven games in the first round.

He noted that a pre-match meeting will be held a day before each match, and teams are required to send representatives.

Bolori mentioned that in the first week of the competition, games scheduled for 2:00 PM will be shifted due to the harsh weather in the state.

The tournament is scheduled to start on April 27, 2025, and is expected to kick off with a ceremony between Eagle Star and Shehu Central at Ramat Square (Filin Sakuwa) at 4:00 PM.

Officials from all registered clubs attended the workshop, which aimed to enlighten participants on new rules, regulations, and key tournament components.