REMARKS BY COACH SAMSON SIASIA AT THE OCCASION MARKING HIS RETURN TO FULL-SCALE FOOTBALL ACTIVITIES ON SATURDAY 24 AUGUST, 2024
It is with immense gratitude to God Almighty who gives life, health and ability that I stand here before you all today. This is my first formal statement since my return from a shocking and devastating ban over an offense I never committed. I was charged, investigated, tried and sentenced without my knowledge. Because I was never informed that I was under investigation over any allegation against me, I did not have the chance to defend myself for one second before I was banned.
It has been five difficult years of momentary pain and emotional anguish for me because I was prevented from fully practicing my only profession, the game of football. But I thank God that the night is over, the day is here at last and I am free again to practice my profession with my usual honesty and sincerity of character. In my over 25 years of coaching career, I have jealously guarded and maintained my principles and character with utmost uncompromising sincerity. I have never and will never partake in bribery, corruption and dirty deals of any sorts.
I wish to inform my supporters across Nigerians and beyond that I did not spend the last five years in idleness or lamentation. Not one day out of the 1,826 days was wasted in agony or hopelessness. It was a period of serious reflection and painstaking updating and close appraisal and reappraisal of the dynamics of the game of my youth and adulthood. I am inseparable from football. Luckily, the ban did not forbid me from refreshing and renewing my knowledge of the game.
Today, I am back more resolved, more determined, more committed and unbowed. For five years, I was down, but I am certainly not out because it is not over. I am returning to the game renewed and prepared to continue with my lifetime passion.
I was not coaching Nigeria. I was not managing any other country. I was not coaching any club or team and I was not a football agent when I was charged in absentia and punished. What happened to me was a shocking and unbelievable experience. But I have decided to put all that transpired behind me to focus on the present and future tasks.
To my fellow countrymen, my supporters and associates, let me assure you all that I am still the same Coach Samson Siasia that you all knew and trusted. I will never disappoint you. My concern remains football advancement, successes and triumphs by Nigeria and our sports loving compatriots particularly our active professional football players in the country and elsewhere.
My one and only aspiration is to see Nigeria succeed and get back and reclaim her rightful position among the successful football-playing nations of the world.
Finally, I wish to thank my family, supporters, our sports journalists, fellow Nigerians and all those who stood by me in the last five years for their solidarity. I sincerely appreciate the committee of friends and parents of Siaone Soccer Academy for standing by me and hosting this event. I thank you all for coming here to welcome me back.
Samson Siasia
