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Dalung
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●NFF budgets ₦6.38 billion
for World Cup, others ●To begin talks with team,
names foreign coach for Falcons
The
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)’s 2018 budget of ₦6.38 billion was approved
yesterday at its Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Jos, Plateau State capital.
The budget is with a deficit of ₦3.32 billion.
The Guardian Nigeria report continues:
In
Lagos, a former Special Assistant on Media to ex-Sports Minister Bolaji
Abdullahi, Olukayode Thomas has described as ‘big scam’ passionate plea by the
Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung to the National
Assembly to speedily appropriate funds for Super Eagles’ preparation for the 2018
FIFA World Cup in Russia. Thomas, who is the immediate past spokesman of the
Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), said such call by Dalung must be ignored
because it is a scam, as preparation and participation of qualified countries
in the World Cup are funded by FIFA.
According
to the assembly’s communiqué signed by Frank Ilaboya (Chairman) and Ademola
Olajire (Secretary), the Congress approved NFF’s Financial Statement for the
year 2016 and the 2018 Budget as proposed.
“The
Federation’s total budget for year 2018 activities is the sum of ₦6.38 billion,
while the guaranteed revenues from sponsors and government subvention is the
sum of ₦3.062 billion. This has left a shortfall of the sum of ₦3.32 billion,
which the Federation has to work to augment through sponsorships and special
interventions,” it stated.
At
another meeting held at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge in Jos, the NFF
agreed to “ensure that negotiations with the players with regards to World Cup
bonuses are firmly concluded and agreement signed before the end of this year,
for the sake of stable preparations and credible participation at the World Cup
finals without any distractions.”
The
board also resolved that adequate and intensive preparation of the Super Eagles
for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup, including the arrangement of quality
friendly matches for the team, is non-negotiable, saying, “to this end, a
comprehensive plan of action would be released after the World Cup draw in
Moscow on December 1, 2017, which would encompass training camps, friendly
matches, marketing and funds drive to ensure a great outing at the World Cup
finals.”
It
disclosed that henceforth only the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons will be
entitled to bonus payments per match, adding, “Players, coaches and backroom
staff of other teams will earn daily allowances, approved bonuses at the end of
successful qualifying campaigns and approved allowances (including daily
allowances) at championships.”
The
federation at the meeting approved the appointment of Mr. Randy Waldrum as the
technical adviser of the senior women national team, Super Falcons and directed
the technical committee to conclude negotiations with the 61-year-old American,
who currently coaches Houston Dash as well as the women’s team of Trinidad and
Tobago.
In
his protest letter to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Thomas said: “We
have witnessed change in the last 24 months under Solomon Dalung as Sports
Minister, but it has been more of negatives than positives.
“The
burning issue now is the letter Dalung sent to you, through the Chairmen of the
Appropriation and Sports Committees, requesting for the National Assembly to
appropriate money for the Super Eagles preparation and participation in the
Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup. Don’t fall for it sir, it is a scam.” he said.
“The
plot is not just a rip-off of the Federal Government; Dalung is also planning a
stakeholder’s dinner which will include the National Assembly, State Governors
and other concerned sports stakeholders to raise money for the same purpose.
“Nigeria
and the other 31 teams that will vie for glory at the Russia 2018 World Cup
will get US$2 million each for preparations. After playing the first three
games in the group stage, each team will get US$10 million each. If our boys
advance to round 16, they will pocket US$12 million.
Peradventure
fortune smiles on our boys and they make it to the quarterfinal, the reward is
an US$18 million.
“If
our team manages to get to the semifinal and they place fourth, US$25 million
is in the kitty; a third place guarantees them US$30 million, second US$40
million, and if they are lucky to win the cup, it is comes with a US$50 million
jackpot.
“Please disregard Dalung’s letter, it is a scam. A cheap one for that matter. This scam is as old as 1994 when Nigeria first qualified for the FIFA World Cup at the USA,” Thomas stated.
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