The Nation Newspaper

Tag: nff

  • MINISTERIAL ORDER: NFF coughs out N100m

    MINISTERIAL ORDER: NFF coughs out N100m

    • Coaches’ salaries gulp N30m

    • Eagles’, others’ allowances, bonuses hit N50m
    • Outstandings to be paid this week

    Chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) surprised the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung on Thursday in Abuja when they presented a statement of account that shows that the body has N100 million from which cheques can be issued to pay for the coaches’, players and others being owed by the federation for services rendered.

    This staggering sum came from the sponsorship fees paid to the federation by some of its sponsors recently which needed to be paid into their accounts before any form of withdrawal can be done, with the consent  and approval of its supervising ministry.

    Consequently, the minister directed that the coaches’  salaries be paid immediately with words rife that the figure amounts to N30 million for all the national teams’ tacticians and supporting staff.

    Sportinglife scooped further that a staggering N50 milllion will be paid out to the coaches, players and supporting staff of all the national teams that partook in major and minor football competitions in the last six months.

    The largest sums will be paid to the coaches, players and officials of the Super Eagles for the two games against Swaziland where the team drew and won the games played.

    Word was rife that the money would be ransferred into the players’, coaches’ and supporting staff’s bank accounts in line with the government’s new policy on such matters.

  • 2016 SOCCER SEASON: NFF expects N7bn income

    2016 SOCCER SEASON: NFF expects N7bn income

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have announced they expect to rake in over N7 billion  (about $35 million) with more than 90% coming from government subvention.

    The government will finance the NFF’s sporting activities for the new year to the tune of N5.8 billion with an additional N324 million for recurrent expenditure and N183 million for capital expenditure.

    Sponsorship will provide less than N1billion to the NFF earnings – N792 million.

    The major sponsor of the NFF is telecommunications company, Globacom, who pays N385 million a year, followed by  Guinness with N290 million.

    Grants from FIFA and CAF amount to over N78 million with the Nigeria Premier League contributing N30 million to the coffers of the federation.

    However, the NFF plan to spend over N5 billion (about $25 million) for the country’s participation in seven major championships in the new year.

    This expenditure was contained in a budget summary of the NFF at their Annual General Assembly.

    A further breakdown showed that Nigeria will feature at the 2016 CHAN in Rwanda, the U-20 Women’s World Cup, the Rio Olympics, 2016 beach soccer competitions, U-20 AFCON, U-17 Women’s World Cup and the African Women’s Championship in Cameroon.

    Next month’s CHAN will gulp  most of the money, which is put at about N1.5 billion , while about N920 million will be spent at the AWC.

    Over N672 million will be spent on the female U-20s, N651 million on the female U-17s, N369 million on the Olympic team, N621 million on the U-20 men’s team and N471 million on the beach soccer team.

    These expenditures will include overseas training tours, international friendly matches as well as the qualifiers and the championships.

     

  • NFF targets N7b revenue next year

    NFF targets N7b revenue next year

    The Nigeria Football Federation said it expect to rake in over 7 billion Naira (about $35 million) in 2016 with more than 90 per cent coming from government subvention.

    The government will finance the NFF sporting activities for the new year to the tune of 5.8 billion Naira with an additional 324 million Naira for recurrent expenditure and 183 million Naira for capital expenditure, africanFootball.com reports.

    Sponsorship will contribute 792 million Naira to the NFF earnings.

    The major sponsor of the NFF is telecommunications company – Globacom, who pays 385 million Naira a year, followed by alcoholic beverages manufacturer – Guinness with 290 million Naira.

     

  • CAF INTER CLUB COMPETITION: Nasarawa United call for support of NFF, LMC

    • Intensify preparation for CAF Confederation Cup

    Nasarawa United FC Chairman, Danladi Isaac has revealed that the support of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the League Management Company (LMC) for the Solid Miners and other three Nigerian clubs in the CAF Inter Club competitions would be crucial for their impressive performance.

    The Lafia side are making their second appearance in Africa after their cameo appearance in 2007 when they featured in the CAF Champions League before they dropped to the CAF Confederation Cup and later eliminated.

    Isaac told SportingLife that they were aware that they must be prepared to face the best the continent can produce as soon as they qualify for the continent and that their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round foes, Generation Foot of Senegal would be a hard nut to crack.

    He said Nasarawa United would be adequately ready and prepared before the February 12-14, 2016 first leg tie and that serious work has started over the repairs of the Lafia Township Stadium to meet the standard set by CAF for the hosting of continental games.

    Isaac also pleaded with the NFF and LMC to render the necessary support to all Nigerian teams on the continent so that there can be appreciable progression on the continent this term than it was in the last few years.

    He noted that issues regarding the technical crew has been done and dusted and that they have also intensified the build up to the next season including their stay on the continent so that the Solid Miners won’t be caught unprepared.

  • NFF too broke to hire Falcons’ coach

    NFF too broke to hire Falcons’ coach

    Paucity of funds may very well delay the naming of a new coach for Nigeria’s senior women’s team; Super Falcons according to the out-going Chairperson of the Women’s Professional League, Dilichukwu Onyedinma.

    With the Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers coming up in March next year, Nigeria will join the race in the second round which kicks off in April. But Onyedinma still remains hopeful that the country will excel and make it to the 10th edition of the Championships.

    “Right now it is true that the absence of a substantive coach for the team is a problem but understandably the financial crisis is the main reason why the Federation isn’t talking about it.

    “But,I’m sure the NFF is working assiduously to get us a coach and in no time a headway will come.”

  • NFF commends Dream Team, Siasia

    NFF commends Dream Team, Siasia

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has  praised the Under-23 football team and head coach, Samson Siasia following their success at the just-concluded U-23 Afcon in Senegal.

    Oghenekaro Etebo scored a brace to power Nigeria past Algeria in the showpiece game in Dakar as the Dream Team VI won 2-1 at Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium, Dakar.

    NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, who spoke on behalf of the federation identified “exceptional perseverance and unyielding spirit” and the impact of Siasia for the success in Senegal.

    “This is another reason to celebrate. We are delighted. But we give a lot of credit to the players and the officials led by coach Samson Siasia.

    “They showed exceptional perseverance and unyielding spirit to do the nation proud.

    “The NFF as a federation has special praise for coach Siasia. He was strong mentally and never lost focus, even in the face of odds. He is deserving of every encomium,” Pinnick told the federation’s official website, www.thenff.com.

    Nigeria have now qualified for the men’s football event of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro following the heroics of the Dream Team VI in Senegal.

  • LMC GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE AND NFF STATUTES

    LMC GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE AND NFF STATUTES

    In recent times, there have been comments and articles questioning the place of League Management Company in NFF statutes. Some have even called upon the NFF Electoral Committee to conduct elections into the Board of ‘NPL’ just as they are organising elections into the lower leagues. Those championing this fault the institutionalisation of LMC within our football structures. In their opinion, LMC is an ‘illegal’ body, ‘not enshrined in the nation’s football laws’ and consequently, it cannot assume a position in the NFF Executive Committee.

    But all these smirk of ignorance. It is either these people are ignorant of the relevant documents domiciling LMC in our football laws or if they are aware, there must be some ulterior motive. A perusal of the LMC Supplementary Regulations (Governance structure) agreed with the Premier League clubs since September 6, 2013 and duly filed at CAC with CAC approval duly issued June 2, 2014 will suffice.

    It was established that the 20 Premier League clubs were involved in the process that gave birth to the approved governance structure in line with the requirements of Article 18 of the NFF Statutes. If one is talking about elections into the board of the elite league as being clamoured by the defunct NPL proponents, who will be the electorate at the election? Is it not the same 20 Premier League clubs chairmen? By unanimously endorsing that Governance structure and regulations before ultimately agreeing to the composition of the current leadership of the LMC, have they not cast their vote? If you are to conduct an election into the LMC or whatever board they deem fit, today, does it not also follow that they will vote for the same directors currently at the helms?

    Let it also be pointed out here that it was the agreement of all the Premier League clubs and LMC to adopt the English Premier League (EPL) model of managing the league while domesticating it to suit our peculiar environment. The September 6, 2013 meeting with the clubs was essentially to discuss and agree to the amendments required to domesticate the EPL model. But was it a wrong decision to do it the EPL way? We have all liked the organization of the EPL, was it a bad idea taking a cue from the most celebrated league in the world?

    After reaching an agreement as to the Governance structure/regulations, there was still the issue of NFF putting a seal on LMC and situating it in the statutes. Without this, LMC would have been illegal as some people are erroneously painting it. So, accordingly, the NFF Executive Committee (at its executive committee meeting of OCTOBER 8, 2014 in ABUJA) and the NFF CONGRESS (at its Congress of NOVEMBER 18, 2014 in LAGOS)  duly approved this Governance Structure pursuant to the powers granted them under the NFF STATUTES (ARTICLE 78 subsection 2 & 3) as well as FIFA statutes ( ARTICLE 17 and 18) to make regulations  and or approve regulations for the management of the domestic leagues, which requires that members can either be ELECTED and or APPOINTED through a fair and independent process.

    So for those who think membership of the NFF Executive Committee is only through an election, it is expedient to note that under Article 17 (2) of the FIFA statutes, Members (NFF EXCO) can either be elected or appointed but ‘through a fair and independent process’. This latter proviso in the FIFA statutes was consummated when the 20 Premier League clubs endorsed the Governance structure/regulations as well as the composition of LMC Board.

    The LMC Governance structure/regulations (as approved by the NFF Congress pursuant to Article 78 of NFF STATUTES) provides that ‘the LMC chairman automatically assumes the position as the 2nd VICE PRESIDENT of the NFF in line with NFF statutes and FIFA guidelines where the head of the elite league is automatically admitted as NFF 2nd Vice President’.  This has been the case since the elite league became independent in Nigeria some 10 years ago in 2005 and is duly captured in the LMC approved Governance structure.

    The likes of Chris Giwa could be excused because his club was not in the NPFL at the time the LMC Governance structure was endorsed by the 20 Premier League clubs but he should have asked questions. That is assuming he has not been privy to the outcome of LMC meetings thus far. He has been part of the LMC-organised NPFL for the past two seasons and hasn’t complained. In fact he had been praising LMC all through the season. Suddenly, Giwa FC loses to Nasarawa United on last match day and their proprietor no longer believes in the LMC.

    But the key question is; why now? Giwa is just one of those kicking against LMC. There are some others whose intentions could stretch beyond the LMC Governance structure and NFF Statutes. Why suddenly is there a battle for the soul of LMC? A few days ago, during the NFF and LMC briefing at the National Assembly, the honourable members dubbed LMC the ‘miracle workers’ and suggested the leadership of LMC should be giving National Honours for their achievements in changing Nigerian league positively. In doing this, they expressed amazement at the level of transformation noticed in the NPFL this season. They pledged to create the enabling environment to help LMC attain greater heights.

    Why can’t these LMC haters toe the line of these honourable members? It has come to our knowledge that certain people who had been feeding fat on the domestic league are not comfortable with the new order. There was a contract entered by NFL that enslaved the league. That deal has ran out its course and the LMC isn’t willing to do a renewal as it has nothing to do with it as the deal was with the defunct NFL. The deal was signed by the defunct NFL and even the LMC lacks the powers to discuss it talk less of any negotiations. So for the ‘deals men’ the tactic is, boot LMC out, re-instate NFL and renew the deal. That way, they will enslave the domestic league for a further five years. So you can now see that there is more to the LMC-must-be-destroyed crusade than meets the eye.

    The clubs, who are the biggest beneficiaries of the LMC era should know better. They should ask; how much are we earning under the current arrangement; how much did we earn in the past? Answers to these questions should task the relevant authorities. But as long as this ‘Pull LMC down’ project persists, the searchlight will be beamed on the real ‘rapists’ of our league and ‘looters’ of our collective wealth.

     

    • Nwankpa is an author and journalist.
  • CAF Club Championships: NFF to parley with Nigeria’s representatives

    CAF Club Championships: NFF to parley with Nigeria’s representatives

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has hinted that the four clubs representing the country in continental club competitions next year would soon be called for a meeting to intimate them about what to expect while playing in Africa.

    Enyimba and Warri Wolves will hoist the country’s flag in the CAF Champions League while Akwa United and Nasarawa United are Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup.

    A top official of one of the four clubs told SportingLife that the General Secretary of the NFF,  Mohammed Sanusi who is presently away in England on official duty told him the Glasshouse would like to meet with the four clubs for them to  agree on how the continental matches would be prosecuted.

    The source said the NFF is trying to prepare the hearts of the clubs to prepare very well for Africa so that the four clubs will be able to go as far as possible on the continent unlike what has been witnessed in the last three years where no Nigerian club has made it to the group stage of the two competitions.

    Sunshine Stars are the last Nigerian club to advance to the crucial stages of the club competition when they got  to the semi final of the CAF Champions League in 2012 before bowing out to eventual champions, Al Ahly of Egypt 4-3 on aggregate.

  • ECONOMIC CRUNCH: NFF to cut national teams

    ECONOMIC CRUNCH: NFF to cut national teams

    • Spends over N160m per game for Eagles • Others gulp between N60m to N80m
    • Can’t fund 11 teams yearly • Considers between five to six squads

    An unspecified number of national teams could be extinct in 2016, if plans by the chieftians of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to trim the figure from 11 to a manageable five or six is consummated.

    Sportinglife gathered that the NFF chiefs burn the midnight oil to outsource cash to bankroll 11 national teams and do not think it is economically wise to continue with the trend.

    Indeed, the NFF men are in a dilemma over which of the national teams to drop since they bankroll the Super Eagles, Dream Team VI, CHAN Eagles, Flying Eagles, Golden Eaglets, Super Falcons, Falconents, Flamingoes, Beach Sand Eagles, U-15 Boys and U-13 Girls.

    Sportinglife checks on those who should know at the Glasshouse indicate that the NFF spends between N140 million to N180 million to prosecute every game of the Super Eagles with the bulk of the figure spent on logistics, such as hotel accommodation (within and outside the country), flight return tickets refunds, allowances, match winning bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on the imporatnce of the game not forgetting payments for drawn matches etc.

    The other national teams enjoy the same privileges as the Super Eagles, except that their entitlements are far less with the figure running into between N60 million and N80 million per game depending on where the games are played within or outside the country.

  • Wolfsburg move: NFF stops Osimhen

    Wolfsburg move: NFF stops Osimhen

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has put on hold the transfer of Golden Eaglets Striker, Victor Osimhen to VL Wolfsburg, President Amaju Pinnick has confirmed.

    Speaking at a media parley in Abuja on Thursday, Pinnick insists the FA will adopt stringent measure to ensure no member of the victorious 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup squad is exploited by clubs or agents.

    He further stated that the Federation will pass a legislation which will declare the players as national assets under the purview of the NFF.

    “I got a call from Wolfsburg who had a lucrative offer for Osimhen (Victor) and I asked what their plan was for the player. There must be a plan which they’ll have to defend. We won’t stop anybody from travelling but we’ll be religious about monitoring because we believe the Federation should have a major role to play.

    “We are going to tell the agent to stay off because no ITC will be issued to any player until we know exactly where they are going  and the plans they have. We are not just taking about winning but also the impact on seamless transition.

    “We’ll come up with a legislation soon; within a week or two, that will make the players national assets. What Wolfsburg is offering is huge and very tempting but we’ll turn them down if their plans don’t suit ours.”