Jelili Gbadamosi
Rt Hon Philip Shaibu, Director-General of the National Institute for Sports, has said Peter Obi could have waved at Nigeria’s victorious Under-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, like other Nigerians at the Abuja airport.
The statement was made after on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, while reacting to the controversy surrounding Obi’s allegation that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, prevented him from greeting the players.
Obi had claimed that he was denied access to the team when they returned to Abuja on Monday after winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Reacting, Shaibu said athletes sometimes operate under specific instructions restricting interactions with members of the public while travelling.
He explained that such arrangements were part of team management procedures, which individuals were expected to respect.
“Mr Obi can stand at the airport and wave to them like every other person did,” he said.
The former Edo State deputy governor recounted an encounter with Enyimba players at an airport, saying he only waved at them after being informed that they were travelling.
He described himself as a former footballer, said he understood the procedures involved in managing athletes during competitions and official movements.
He also stressed that the Flamingos deserved recognition for their achievement, noting that adequate attention should be given to the preparations that contributed to their success.
The controversy followed Obi’s claim that he arrived at the Abuja airport at about 7 am on Monday to board a flight to Enugu and asked his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet the players.
He alleged that he was informed that NFF officials had rejected his request and warned that they could lose their jobs if he approached the team.
However, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, disputed the account, saying officials who received the team reported that they did not see Obi around the international terminal or near the players.
Dikko said two individuals wearing Obi’s campaign face caps and other campaign materials had approached officials to request photographs and a meeting with the team.
He explained that the request was declined because the players had just returned from a demanding tournament and needed consideration.
The NSC chairman also called on Obi to apologise to the players, insisting that their achievement should not be overshadowed by the controversy.
The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final in Morocco to win their first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title, becoming the first African country to achieve the feat.
