By Salisu Musa Jegus
I wonder why Nigerians are thinking of going abroad for the development and application of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in football when Intertech Football Academy, under the leadership of Engineer Suleman Musa, has already demonstrated that the technology can be successfully implemented in Nigeria.
If not for reasons best known to the relevant authorities, it would be beneficial for the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the Nigeria National League (NNL), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the National Sports Commission (NSC) to engage Intertech Kano and learn from its experience in the practical use of VAR.
Intertech Football Academy has been using the VAR system successfully for nearly four years during various football competitions held at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. The initiative has helped improve officiating standards by allowing referees to review crucial incidents before making final decisions.
The academy has also trained a number of young officials and technical personnel on the operation of the system, proving that Nigerians have the capacity to adopt and manage modern football technology without relying entirely on foreign expertise.
Sports stakeholders believe that embracing local innovation will not only reduce the huge financial cost of overseas training but will also accelerate the development of football technology across the country.
With the increasing demand for improved officiating in Nigerian football, Intertech Kano's experience could serve as a model for leagues and football governing bodies seeking to introduce VAR effectively.
Many football enthusiasts have therefore called on the relevant authorities to recognize and support indigenous initiatives such as Intertech Football Academy, noting that investing in local expertise will strengthen Nigeria's football ecosystem and position the country among the leading football nations in Africa in terms of technological advancement.
