Davidson Owumi needs no introduction as far as football is concerned in Nigeria. The Delta born ex footballer who adopted Enugu as his second home featured for Sharks of Port-Harcourt, Bendel United, NNPC Football Club and Flash Flamingoes of Benin City.
He also took his trade to Qatar, Greece, Cyprus and Spain as well as the Super Eagles before becoming General Manager of Enugu Rangers International Football Club. He was also at a time General Manager of Warri Wolves. It is on record that I took over from him as the Chairman of Warri Wolves in 2016.
He had his first stint with the League Management Company some years ago replacing Hon Nduka Irabor, a move that was cut short due to crisis among stakeholders. However, he found his way back when Amaju Pinnick appointed him as the COO of the League Management Company.
With Gbenga Elegbeleye as the Chairman, both of them have been looking for a way to sanitize the Nigerian League with the introduction of various reforms.
However, their effort has not really been felt as the league is still bedevilled with serious problems ranging from poor officiating, lack of sponsorship, non-attendance by fans and wrong or bad attitude from the players.
In an attempt to help solve a major problem confronting the league which is betting, Owumi few days ago rolled out some basic rules with a threat to sanction anyone caught in betting. No doubt, this is a welcome development albeit to say that the league body still has a long way to go.
In the circular warning players on the implication of betting, Owumi reiterated its zero tolerance policy on betting, declaring that such actions are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Owumi further stressed the dangers of betting and match fixing, citing the risks it poses to the integrity of the game. “Betting not only undermines fair play but also damages the image of the league, diminishes fans confidence and drives away sponsors who support Nigerian Football.”
He further said that any player caught in betting activities directly or indirectly will face severe consequences, including immediate expulsion from the league, monetary fines, long term suspensions or life time bans and possible legal action.
The law all over the world is explicit that no participant can bet on a match or competition in which they are involved that season, or which they can influence, or any other football related matter concerning the league that they play in. It is also part of the law that participants are seriously prohibited from using or passing inside information for betting.
Footballers are not allowed to place a bet on any football event, anywhere in the world. It is a worldwide rule which prohibit betting and no one, players, Referees, Coaches and Officials is allowed to place a bet but this is Nigeria.
We have a way of circumventing rules and that is why nobody takes us serious all over the world. In one of my visit to Mali, there was a robbery incident close to the Nigerian Embassy. What the people did was to look for Nigerians around that area as the first suspect and they were proved right in their dealings. The next day, I was told some Nigerians were found with the stolen materials. We are known for all sorts of things and we don’t care whose ox is affected provided it is going to bring money.
Betting on football is a lucrative market. In the U.K, in 2023, the sum of 2.9 billion pounds was bet on the beautiful game and many people made a lot of money from it.
Betting to the best of my knowledge even though no concrete evidences has sent many clubs in Nigeria on relegation. We have heard of players pointing accusing fingers on one another on the issue of betting.
The issue here is that the League Management Company under Davidson Owumi has not put into cognizance the complex nature of a country called Nigeria. There are many things that they need to put in place to be able to check mate betting because it has become an addiction to 90 per cent of our players.
Therefore, the League Management Company should roll out a handbook and make it available to players and officials of various clubs.
Therefore, rules not only on betting but others must be seen to be complied with by every Club. We are quick to make rules but find it difficult to implement and the enforcement is a no go area in a country called Nigeria.
The issue of remuneration for players must be addressed once and for us. One of the reason giving by players is that they are not well paid and don’t even get salary for months. To them, man shall not live by bread alone, otherwise, they will die. The issue of poor welfare must be tackled, it is either we are doing it or not.
It is not a force that one must own a football club.
On the other hand, do LMC have what it takes to catch a player who participates in betting? The answer is no. We have a case at hand of Adeyinka Adewale of Plateau United, who is on his way to Shooting Stars of Ibadan.
According to him, his suspension as a result of betting was based on hearsay and rumours from the fans.
How are we going to address the issue of monitoring? What is the relationship of LMC with betting operators and that of communication firms? Is there any plan to rehabilitate those caught in betting.
In the U.K, those saddled with the management of the league do organize lectures for players and officials and those caught are required to undergo treatment for a gambling addiction.
What is the plan of LMC towards monitoring the betting markets for any irregularities. Are the betting operators ready to cooperate with LMC? Until these things are put in place, Owumi LMC is a fire-fighter without fire truck.
