The immediate past Governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki, has canvassed a systemic administrative style that would ensure Nigeria sporting competes favourably with the developed countries.

Speaking to journalist yesterday in Ilorin, Saraki was happy with Super Eagles' qualification for the 2013 Africa Nations Cup, saying, however, that the qualification would be meaningless if the team was not well managed.

Saraki, who is currently the Senator representing Kwara Central zone, cautioned against frequent hiring and firing of the Super Eagles' technical adviser, noting that the system rather than the man at the saddle remained the bane of football growth in the country.

The senator, who is the only private owner of a football club at the elite division of the Nigerian league, urged football administrators to develop the local league, which, he said, has the potential of supplying good players to the national football teams.

He praised the incumbent Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, for having the foresight to restructure the sector.

"If the Technical Adviser is doing well and winning his matches, there is no point changing him ahead of the next edition of the Nations Cup. Even if we go ahead to hire a foreign technical adviser he will not likely do well due to the existing bad system.

"But we need to have a plan and set out our objectives. By now, we ought to have concluded our plans for the Nations Cup and be thinking of the next Mundial in Brazil. We need to go back to our league and strengthen our administration. We need to put the foundation right. The Minister in charge is doing well and we must support him," he said.

Saraki, who predicted a bright future for the nation's football, canvassed patriotism and dedication from the players and administrators, just as he said that football academies should be given more priority.