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Tag: Pinnick

  • Best Football Awards: FIFA extends invitation to AITECO CEO

    Best Football Awards: FIFA extends invitation to AITECO CEO

     President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has described as ‘well –deserved’ FIFA’s invitation of Mr. Francis Peters, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of AITEO Group to next week’s FIFA Best Football Awards in London.

     “The invitation is a recognition of AITEO’s excellent support for Nigerian Football, which continues to expand, and this is an indication of the several possibilities derivable from supporting the game of football. Other corporate organizations should take a cue.

     “AITEO Group takes the cake for the way they came in big to back the NFF and Nigerian Football, and our partnership is one that is guaranteed to last for a long time and be mutually beneficial,” Pinnick said on Thursday.

     After sealing a partnership agreement for sponsorship of salaries of Coaches of the various National Teams, the leading energy solution company then annexed the country’s oldest and most glamorous football championship, the old FA Cup, with a multi –million naira sponsorship that has given a new life to the competition, which first edition was successfully concluded with the women’s finale in Jos on Wednesday.

     Pinnick insists Peters’ invitation to London is in recognition of AITEO’s groundbreaking partnership agreements with the Nigeria Football Federation that have energized the Nigerian game and set it on firm course to a brighter and better future.

     The letter of invitation dated 27 September 2017 and addressed to Mr. Francis Ikena Peters, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of AITEO Group, read, inter alia: “It is our pleasure to invite you to celebrate The Best of the football season in London.

     “The second edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards will take the game’s official annual celebration to even greater heights. Players, coaches and fans from around the world are already voting, and on 23 October, the greatest names in football will gather for the award show that crowns the top performers of the season.”

     The 2nd edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards will take place at the London Palladium, on Argyll Street, Soho, London on the night of Monday, 23rdOctober 2017.

  • Pinnick hopeful over NFF finances

    Pinnick hopeful over NFF finances

    …as stakeholders ‘lament, Supersport’s ‘withdrawal’ from NPFL

    NIGERIA Football Federation(NFF) President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, is hopeful that the federation would soon turn the corner over its poor finances and announce a ground-breaking sponsorship package to cater for its programmes.

    Pinnick exclusively told The Nation the federation financial trouble would soon be a thing of the past by the time the package is signed and delivered even as he refused to divulge the likely sponsors.

    “It is having not been easy running the NFF because we came on board in at a very trying period,” Pinnick said. “Other issue like economic recession is there and several companies that would have assisted our sponsorship drive are only thinking about how to survive but we are working to turn things around for the better.”

    Due to its poor finances, the NFF has reportedly owe some its coaches and was forced to cut down on the perks of the national teams including withdrawal of match allowances for its age grade teams but Pinnick is excited about what is in the pipeline.

    Meanwhile, stakeholders in Nigerian football believe the game would be worst off should SuperSport withdraw its sponsorship of the Nigeria Premier Football League as its widely being speculated.

    Barrister Chris Green, NFF Technical Committee Chairman remarked on a social media platform: “I don’t think Supersport have pulled out of the sponsorship, I think they are still negotiating after the expiration of their contract, I hope it goes well. There is more to the league than super sport, if Supersport pulls out it will hurt the clubs the most.”

    Speaking in the same vein, former NFF Board Member, Segun Odegbami stated: “should this be true, it would be a cataclysmic disaster for Nigerian football; without TV money, no sport can grow.”

    The League Management Company(LMC) has yet to formally react to the developing story and it remains to be seen what becomes of the NPFL should Supersport make good its promise to pull out of the league.

  • Otedola, Al Khalifa, Palestine FA congratulate Pinnick

    Otedola, Al Khalifa, Palestine FA congratulate Pinnick

    Leading billionaire industrialist Femi Otedola, president of the Asian Football Confederation, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and the president of Palestine Football Association, General Jibril Rajoub are among the latest prominent world citizens to felicitate with NFF President Amaju Pinnick over his election into the CAF Executive Committee.

    Otedola, in a simple, short message to only the third Nigerian to sit on the exalted CAF Executive Committee, said: “My brother, congratulations on your appointment. It is well deserved.”

    Al Khalifa, who came second behind Gianni Infantino in last year’s FIFA Presidential election, wrote to Pinnick: “Your election is a testimony of the faith and confidence the African football family has in your abilities and I am confident that you will make valuable contributions for the further development of football in your beautiful continent.

    “The Asian football family looks forward to further strengthening and expanding the close relationship between AFC and CAF. I look forward to welcoming you to my home country Bahrain in May on the occasion of the 67th FIFA Congress 2017.”

    Rajoub, in his own letter, wrote: “On behalf of the Palestinian sports family and myself, allow me to extend my sincere congratulations on winning the executive committee membership of Confederation of African Football, believing that African football will have a prosperous future.”

    Pinnick trounced Beninoise football official Anjorin Moucharafou to claim the prestigeous seat, at the CAF Elective Congress in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 16th March 2017.

  • Pinnick: Issa Hayatou must go

    Pinnick: Issa Hayatou must go

    The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick says African must follow the trends in global football administration by voting out long-serving President of the Confederation of African Football Issa Hayatou during CAF elections slated for March 16, 2017 in Ethiopia.

    Hayatou is standing for an eighth successive term of office, but faces opposition from Ahmad Ahmad, the head of Madagascar’s FA.

    Speaking with Sports Zone, a Lagos-based radio station sports programme on Thursday, Pinnick said CAF needs a new generation of leadership on the continent, following the change at the top of the world governing body FIFA.

    “I like to thank the executive committee of the NFF for according me the liberty of choosing whoever because I will vote on behalf of the federation. Having said that we feel very strongly, we are group of progressives in CAF that feels that we need a change in CAF because at the moment there is a pros election irreconcilable difference between Gianni Infanito and Issa Hayatou.

    “We are looking at generational CAF between Hayatou and other Confederation. For example, Alejandro Domínguez, the president of CONMEBOL is 44 years old, the president of CONCACAF, Victor Montagliani is 51 years old, the president of Oceania Football Federation, David Chung is 55 years old, the president of Asian Confederation, Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa is 51 years old, the president of UEFA, Aleksander Ceferin is 47 years old, the President of FIFA, Infatino is 47 years old. Issa Hayatou is well over 70 years old.

    “When there was a debate of the increment of the teams to World Cup from 32 to 48, out of the six confederations, it was only CAF that objected to it. The five other confederations said how would you object, it’s the more, the merrier. More countries, teams, more money and that is it. There are a lot of more direct benefits than the auxiliary benefits. So at the end of the day if for example Africa is given 10 slots in the allotment, we can now have small countries like Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde thinking of going to the World Cup.

    “So we need a change. Ahmad Ahmad is 57, which shows that he is going to be a major bridge between the young generation of football administrators and the older generations of administrators.

     “I’m one of those who believes Hayatau has tried and should be given a befitting exit. He should be accorded an appreciable level of respect. He should be given an honorary role like life president. So that is what I feel. I can assure you 100 per cent that Ahmad Ahmad will win the election.

    “I’m coming from South Africa, I came in this morning and as soon as I landed it was meeting all the way. About 15 federation presidents are here with me now and we are planning trip to Harare, from there we move to Kampala then to Rwanda to Dakar. We are really working, unless otherwise I believe Ahmad Ahmad will win,” he assured.

  • Dalung, Pinnick, Ogba grace Skoolimpics final

    It was an exciting final at the weekend when the curtain was finally drawn at the first edition of Heritage Bank – Lagos State Skoolimpics at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

    The Minister for Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, led some other top dignitaries to the final among which was the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, even though the  event was not a football competition.

    The Athletic Federation of Nigeria, Solomon Ogba, was not left out likewise former Commissioner for Sports in Ogun State, Bukola Olopade.

    The fun was unlimited as the children were treated to the best of entertainment within and outside the main bowl.

    Apart from the normal finals in the boys and girls 100m and 400m, there were races involving staff of some of the branches of the bank while the entertainers presents were not left out of the race.

    Top comedians like Ali Baba, Omo Baba, and others raced against each other with Super Sports presenter, Mosez Praiz, deciding to run with his back adding to the fun already exhibited by others.

    Speaking during the final, the minister applauded the ingenuity of Heritage Bank for organising the event as he appealed to other corporate bodies to emulate the bank.

    “This is what we are talking about, this is the way to go in order to develop sports in the country,” he said.

    “Heritage Bank and their other partners have started it, let others join them to make sports great again in Nigeria.”

  • Dalung, Pinnick halt arrest of LMC boss

    Dalung, Pinnick halt arrest of LMC boss

    Security operatives at the Abuja International airport failed to arrest Chairman of the League Management Company of Nigeria (LMC), Shehu Dikko upon arrival from Zambia.

    Dikko arrived with the Super Eagles on Sunday night into the waiting hands of about five security operatives who were armed with guns and handcuffs to whisk him away.

    However, the combined effort of the Minister for Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung and the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick stopped the plain clothes operatives from arresting Dikko.

    Dalung was pushed to the wall by the operatives despite making it known to them that he is a serving minister, the operatives were still bent on arresting the LMC boss, which infuriated the minister.

    An angry exchange between Dalung and the men sent to arrest Giwa led to one of the operatives firing shots into the air, when Pinnick and Dalung mobilised against them.

    The failed attempt to arrest Dikko is reportedly related to the contempt of court charge against the LMC, when they refused to stop the league despite a court ruling in favour of expelled Giwa FC.

  • CAF rejects Pinnick’s nomination for FIFA seat

    CAF rejects Pinnick’s nomination for FIFA seat

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Amaju Pinnick, will not vie for a FIFA council seat later this month after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) rejected his nomination for a place in the football’s world governing body.

    The elections into the FIFA Council hold on September 29 and CAF has shortlisted seven candidates for the polls.

    They are Almamy Kabele Camara (Guinea), Suketu Patel (Seychelles), Kwesi Nyantakyi (Ghana), Ahmad (Madagascar), Augustin Senghor (Senegal), Hamidou Djibrilla (Niger) and Chabur Goc Alei (South Sudan).

    The candidates will undergo the FIFA integrity test, before their names are finally ratified for the ballot, africanFootball.com reports.

  • AHEAD NIGERIA/TANZANIA AFCON QUALIFIER No winning bonus for Eagles – Pinnick

    AHEAD NIGERIA/TANZANIA AFCON QUALIFIER No winning bonus for Eagles – Pinnick

    The  President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has disclosed that Super Eagles will not be paid match bonus, rather the players will be given daily camping allowance and return tickets due to the cash crunch facing the federation.

    He made this disclosure in a chat with SportingLife at the Glasshouse where he stated categorically that the football house has been surviving on borrowing to carry out national assignments especially the qualifiers.

    Pinnick also revealed that the federation has applied for an intervention fund from the federal government through the Sports Ministry.

    He said without the fund it would be difficult for the female National U – 17 Team  (Flamingoes ) to embark on an overseas training tour bofore the FIFA World Cup scheduled to begin on September 30 in Jordan.

    The football boss stated that he will appeal to the players to be patient with the board as things will get better soon.

    “In Uyo, I will personally appeal to the players to enable them appreciate what we are going through and I know they will understand us too. Look things are really tough if I tell you that we are not indebted to some banks I will be joking,” he said.

  • How Rohr’s salaries will be paid – Pinnick

    How Rohr’s salaries will be paid – Pinnick

    The president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, on Tuesday explained how the salaries of new Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, will be paid by the federation.

    Rohr signed a two-year contract to manage the Super Eagles on Tuesday.

    Pinnick, in a YouTube interview, said a yet-to-be-named oil company has agreed to bankroll the new coach salaries.

    “For transparency and accountability, this sponsor will pay money to the NFF financial consultants, Financial Derivatives, who will then pay the coach,” africanFootball.com quoted the NFF supremo as saying during the interview.

    “Financial Derivatives, headed by Bismark Rewane, a man of impeccable character, will interface with the sponsor. The NFF will not pay the coach directly.”

  • INFANTINO’S VISIT: Pinnick gunning for FIFA seat

    INFANTINO’S VISIT: Pinnick gunning for FIFA seat

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Amaju Pinnick is gunning for a seat on the FIFA council, AfricanFootball.com’s investigations have revealed.

    This is the real reason FIFA president Gianni Infantino and 17 African FA presidents were invited to the country last month.

    There were mixed reactions when the embattled NFF boss hosted the FIFA president in Abuja last month, as it came as a surprise seeing that the country wasn’t hosting or bidding to host any major international football competition.

    The NFF also invited 17 presidents of football associations across the continent for the visit and curiously, the CAF president Issa Hayatou (FIFA senior vice-president) was neither present nor represented.

    Curiously also, there were no representatives from Francophone countries (with the exception of Augustin Senghor of Senegal, who came at the personal request of new FIFA secretary general, Fatma Samoura, who is also from Senegal) and North Africa.

    Investigations have, however, now revealed that the visit of the FIFA boss was only a ruse intended in getting the FA presidents together to seek for alliances and allegiance ahead of the polls for the two vacant African slots at the FIFA Council (formerly FIFA Executive Committee).

    Elections to determine two additional African representatives into the world football governing body will hold on September 29, and investigations have revealed that Pinnick is gunning for one of the tickets.

    There were protests against the visit and against Pinnick right from the airport to the hotel where Infantino and the FA presidents stayed, and one of the FA presidents, dismayed at the reception, said: “You guys should be happy that your man (Pinnick) is going to FIFA and not these protests.”

    It is also interesting to note that for the FIFA president’s visit, none of the African representatives on the FIFA Council – Issa Hayatou (Cameroon); Hany Abo Rida (Egypt); Tarek Bouchamaoui (Tunisia); and Constant Omari (DRC) – were present.

    “Pinnick is absolutely gunning for one of the FIFA tickets and it is the real reason for the FIFA president’s visit and that of 17 FA presidents. He needs an alliance with several FA presidents to stand a chance,” a top source informed AfricanFootball.com.

    The deadline for the submission of applications was June 30, and it is also understood that Pinnick is one of those to have submitted their applications.

    “He has submitted his application and it is left to see if he will get the nomination,” the source added.

    The last Nigerian representative at the FIFA Council was Amos Adamu, who was handed a three-year ban from football activities in 2010 after he was found guilty to have breached FIFA’s ethics and code of conduct.