36 Lion FC Founder, Liameed Gafar, Laments Harsh Realities of Football Investment in Nigeria , Hails Remo Stars’ Soname for Resilience
Written by Alonge Akinlolu on 20 — 10
Founder of 36 Lion Football Club, Liameed Gafar, has voiced his deep frustration over the harsh realities facing football investors and club owners in Nigeria. In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Gafar praised Remo Stars and their owner, Hon. Kunle Soname, for their unwavering dedication to the sport despite the nation’s neglect of football investors.
“As a club founder and a crazy football investor, may I congratulate Remo Stars and Hon. Soname for representing reality and giving more than their best,” Gafar began, before delving into the heavy personal and financial toll of running a football club in Nigeria.
“Recently, I have had several sleepless nights because of my investments, my high upfront costs, and my physical being expended towards the success of each match from A-to-Z,” he revealed.
Gafar questioned what genuine investors and club owners truly gain from Nigerian football, lamenting that they are “subjected to significant risk that far outweighs the returns.”
“Normally, investing in football is designed to grow wealth, bring light to our communities, and metamorphose our boys and girls into responsible adults. Are these phenomena available to us in Nigeria?” he asked.
The 36 Lion FC boss highlighted several systemic failures that continue to hinder football development in the country.
“Nigeria has refused to give us TV rights. Nigeria has refused to give us gate takings. Nigeria has refused to give us a meager N5 billion monthly grants. Nigeria has refused to patronize our club’s merchandise,” he lamented, adding that despite these challenges, “Nigerians will always come out with machetes when we…”
Describing his 30 year journey in football as an “opium,” Gafar admitted that the venture has been a near “suicidal mission,” but one he cannot abandon due to his passion for developing talent and elevating Nigerian football.
He further disclosed ongoing efforts to secure lucrative opportunities for Nigerian players abroad, revealing plans to travel to Libya to oversee a $2 million, two-year deal for a 27 year old striker set to earn $100,000 monthly. Gafar also mentioned another of his protégés earning $35,000 per month in Kuwait, and Yusuf Lawal, who now earns $15,000 monthly in Iraq after seven years in Europe.
“I take responsibility for all these mishap transfers,” he said. “I am also willing to accept your advice on how to do it better.”
Despite his grievances, Gafar expressed deep respect for Hon. Soname, grading both the Remo Stars owner and his club 10/10 for their resilience and impact. He however concluded with a challenge to critics:
“May I plead with anyone, any Nigerian who thinks Soname is not doing the right thing or not doing enough, to please set up an U-12 football team for just 12 days.”
Gafar’s remarks echo a growing frustration among Nigerian football investors who continue to shoulder immense financial and emotional burdens without adequate institutional support yet remain committed to building the future of Nigerian football from the ground up.
