FIFA boss  lauds  Federal Gov’t’s  commitment to football

*Pinnick salutes Infantino, Motsepe on ABC

FIFA President  Gianni  Infantino has commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for its commitment to the development of football and sporting infrastructure in Nigeria.

Infantino led a delegation from FIFA to visit President Buhari at the State House in Abuja yesterday  after  attending  the opening ceremony of the Aisha Buhari Cup in Lagos on Wednesday.

Speaking during the visit to President Buhari at the State House, Infantino said:  “Nigeria has shown serious commitment to football by providing funding and creating a conducive environment for the development and growth of the game.

“This is commendable and really encouraging. The football family speaks only one language and we are one big happy family,” he added.

Read Also: FIFA 22: Messi edges out Ronaldo

The FIFA supremo was then led on a short inspection tour of the newly re-grassed Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja where Infantino could not hide his excitement as he spoke to newsmen.

Meanwhile, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick said  that the presence of the President of the world –governing body FIFA, Gianni Infantino and CAF President, Patrice Motsepe at the opening ceremony of the maiden Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament in Lagos was a huge fillip to the push for more interest and attention to the challenges confronting the girl-child all over the African continent.

 “I feel very happy that Mr. Infantino and Dr. Motsepe were able to grace the opening ceremony of this special tournament. It is a bonus and a boost for girl-child advocacy. It shows there is a genuine desire and keen interest of football leaders to not only improve the standard and visibility of the women’s game, but to scale up the lot of the girl-player economically and ensure she can earn as well as the boy-player,” Pinnick said.

The tournament is staged in honour of the name and Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Buhari and with the instrumental theme, Playing for Good. It also dovetails with the key objectives of the First Lady’s Future Assured Programme (under the Aisha Buhari Foundation), which is concerned with the health, education, and economic empowerment of women and the girl-child.