Sports
W’ World Cup:FG Approves N1.3bn For Super Falcon
The Federal Government of Nigeria on 14th July 2023 approved the sum of One million and seven hundred thousand US dollars ($1.7m) which is equivalent of One billion, three hundred and twenty million and fifty thousand (N1,320,050,000) for Super Falcons’ smooth participation at the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand Tidesports source reports.
This is contained in a leaked confidential document signed by the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila where the Ministry of Sports on behalf of the NFF wrote a request letter demanding for $2m from the FG as the fund was not captured in the 2023 Ministry’s intervention fund. The NFF had submitted the budget of Two Million dollars before it was slashed to $1.7m in a bid to facilitate the smooth participation of Super Falcons at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The total amount ($1.7m) containing 47 items in which the monies would be spent on includes payment of daily allowances for coaches, back room staff and players, payment for the winning bonuses for officials and players from the preliminary games to the final
Included in the letter to receive daily allowance and estacode are: Incoming Minister of Sports, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, General Secretary of NFF, Four NFF Board Members, NFF President, three management staff, three ministry aides, NFF officials, two State Football Association Chairmen and one state FA Secretary.
The intervention fund covers all the days (from Group Stage to the final) the competition will take place in Switzerland and Australia. Aside the total amount which would be released by the FG, the NFF will still get $1.7m participation fee from FIFA.
Super Falcons had on 21st July pulled a barren draw against Olympic Champions, Canada in their group opener and will face the co-host, Australia on 27th before their final group game versus Republic of Ireland on 31st July.
Recall that a total sum of $3.2m intervention funds was approved for the NFF for 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia where the Super Eagles failed to go past the group stages. $1.6m meant for Super Eagles participation at the 2018 World Cup from the group stage to the quarter-final was released before the commencement of the competition but despite their exit at the group stage, no money was refunded back to the Federal Government.
Vice president of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), Chief Solomon Ogba, foremost Sports Marketer and founder of Okpekpe Road Race, Mike Itemuagbor and top Sports Journalist and Media Strategist, Mitchel Obi have lent their voices in support of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF).
The personalities with backgrounds in sports administration, marketing and media spoke separately in commendation of the festival, an initiative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with Dunamis Icon as consultants.
“This is a positive addition to the evolving sports business ecosystem because it is not just a springboard for identifying talents, it also offers a platform to truly hone the skills of those already discovered”, remarked Obi, who served as Special Advisor to a former Sports Minister, late Anthony Ikhazabor.
He said the festival will be a flagship event in the region that would trigger interest in sports among the youths and people of the region.
Edo State-born Itemuagbor commended the NDDC for the decision to add sports in the list of their intervention projects in the region, adding that: “This speaks directly to the problem of youth restiveness which is of great concern to our people.”
Raphael Onyedika has now emerged as a major doubt for the Super Eagles’ must-win 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
The midfielder was forced out early from last week’s league game against Standard Liege.
He has not recovered from the injury and so will miss today’s league match against Gent and may also miss a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Aston Villa yesterday.
The Super Eagles take on Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, before they face Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later in crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Al-Khalood defender, William Troost-Ekong, has shared his experience on the difficulties of winning the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) while describing it a must win trophy.
The former Watford FC defender has competed in the tournament three times but has yet to lift the trophy.
“I’ve been there three times now, bronze medal, silver medal, but I haven’t had the chance to win it. That remains my ultimate goal,” he told Tidesports source.
“It means so much to me and all the kids growing up in Africa and Nigeria.”