NFF To Share $2 million COVID-19 Monetary Palliatives To Stakeholders

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says it has concluded all arrangement to share the sum of $2 million COVID-19 monetary palliatives among its various stakeholders to cushion the effect of novel Coronavirus.

P.M. EXPRESS reports that Executive Committee of the NFF met via video conference on Monday to deliberate on the proposed template for the sharing of the money and also took decisions on some other vital issues.

According to the NFF, “after consultations with the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Board endorsed the proposal from the Secretariat for the lump sum of $2 million to be shared across the various clubs and governing bodies of the various Leagues, viz Nigeria Professional Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nigeria Nationwide League, as a booster for their preparation ahead of the 2020/2021 League Season. 

“The total sum is made up of $1,000,000 (being FIFA’s support for restarting the football season); $500,000 (being FIFA’s dedicated support for women’s football); $300,000 (CAF’s support to its Member Associations); $200,000 (NFF’s support from Sponsors’ Funds).

 The Executive Committee also applauded the efforts of the Federal Government in combating the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) that continues to be a source of sorrow and gnashing of teeth worldwide, but with noticeable decline in infection cases in Nigeria as a result of the untiring work of the Government, the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, all first responders and all other public health workers in the frontline who continue to sweat hard to ensure reduction in community transmission and in saving lives.

Meanwhile, the NFF has instructed its Technical and Development Committee to work in tandem with the NFF Integrity Office to submit to the Board, within the next five days, a shortlist of candidates to be selected for the position of NFF Technical Director, a shortlist of candidates for the positions of Head Coaches of the U-20 and U-17 National Women Teams, the U-15 Boys National Team, as well as candidates for the position of Consultant on Coaches Training and Development.

The Board approved that the reputable consulting firm contracted by the NFF should, as soon as possible, submit a shortlist of candidates for the positions of Head Coach of the Super Falcons, NFF Head of Women Football, Head of Compliance Unit and Chief Commercial Officer.  

The Executive Committee mandated its Youth Football Committee to conclude the modalities for the staging of the first-ever U-15 Future Super Falcons’ Tournament, in the mode of the NFF/Zenith Bank U-15 Super Eagles Championship that has been running for the past four years.

Pertaining to the preparation of the U-20 and U-17 Women National Teams for upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying matches, the Board announced that having written to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for a special waiver to call the girls to camp, it would await response from the Government before making any moves for the camping programme.

 Timescape magazine gathered that the meeting was attended by Amaju Melvin Pinnick (President); Seyi Akinwunmi (1st Vice President); Shehu Dikko (2nd Vice President); Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Member); Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ (Member); Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande (Member); Felix Anyansi-Agwu (Member); Babagana Kalli (Member); Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Member); Ganiyu Majekodunmi (Member); Emmanuel Ibah (Member); Aisha Falode (Member); Mohammed Alkali (Member); Musa Duhu (Member) and Mohammed Sanusi (Secretary)