The National Assembly has summoned officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to a crucial meeting in order to find lasting solutions to the lingering challenges rocking the country’s football sector.
ICIR reports that this meeting was called by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Ekene Adams Abubakar, who invited the leadership of NFF to appear before the House Committee on Sports.
According to the federal lawmaker, the meeting is intended to resolve issues relating to the administration of football issues in the country.
He was quoted by ICIR as saying: “Top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have been invited to appear before the House Committee on Sports on a peace parley.
“Considering the need for mutual co-operation, unity, peace and a sense of belonging. I wish to humbly request your presence at this crucial meeting to align with the Nigerian Football Federation in order to find common ground to achieve a renewed policy direction for the Nigeria Football Federation anchored on peace and unity.”
“I implore you to come on bound as we embark on this journey to reposition the Nigeria Football Federation as an epitome of peace and excellence to Nigeria and the African continent. The committee will be profoundly honoured by your esteemed presence at the meeting.” the statement released by the media aide to the Chairman of the House Committee on Sports read.
The meeting is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, by 11:00 am, at Suite 2.31, House of Representatives Wing, National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
The move comes amid public outrage over reports that Super Falcons players are being owed their bonuses.
Ademola Olajire, NFF Director of Communications, told SaharaReporters on Wednesday that women’s football team players were only owed three match bonuses and two appearance fees by the federation.
A lot of concerned individuals and institutions have been putting pressure on the federation to immediately pay the footballers their entitlements.
For instance, the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) on Tuesday declared its readiness to assist Super Falcons to recover their unpaid entitlements from the country’s football federation.
This was made known in a statement released by the organisation barely 24 hours after the team crashed out of the ongoing world cup tournament.
According to the organisation, the payment of the entitlements by the Nigeria Football Federation to female footballers is long overdue.
The group also praised Super Falcons players for putting the issues surrounding the payment of their owed bonuses behind them and displaying a top-notch performance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup being jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. (SaharaReporters)
