Barely 24 hours
after the Federal Government blamed recession for its inability to pay match
bonuses of the victorious Super Falcons at the just concluded African Women
Championship, the Sports Minister Solomon Dalung has said they were never expected
to win the trophy.
The Super Falcons
had staged a sit-in protest at their hotel to express their disappointment and
vowed not to release the trophy to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), until
their bonuses are paid.
When confronted by
State House correspondents to react to the embarrassing development, Dalung admitted that although the team won
the trophy for a record eighth time, that their victory was not expected.
According to him, if
the NFF was confident of yet another victory in the tournament that held in
Cameroon, it would have applied for and processed the funds for their bonuses
early enough to avoid the national embarrassment.
The Minister who
described the development as unfortunate, pointed out that government needed to
perform a ‘surgery’ on the sports sector to forestall a repeat in the future.
Dalung said, “It is
unfortunate that we are celebrating victory of the Super Falcons amidst some
bitter feelings among the players because of some administrative lapses that
were not managed properly.
“If the situation
was explained to these girls I don’t think the situation would have gotten to
this level. But we are working round the clock to ensure that what belongs to
them legitimately is given to them. This has to do with government process.”
“It is already
established in sports tradition, when you win this is what you are entitled to.
The situation is highly unfortunate and I don’t like it. These girls have given
confidence to women who want to embrace sports but this will go a long way in
killing this laudable achievement. It is unfortunate but we will make sure the
right thing is done.”
Meanwhile the
Minister of Youth and Sports has reassured the African champions that they will
receive all their entitlements.
The Minister made
the promise in company of the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi when
he met with the players and officials at their Agura Hotel, Abuja on Thursday.
“I had to make time
out to meet with you ladies again after receiving you on arrival in Lagos. In
the past few days I have heard so much about the team’s grievances, challenges
and issues here and there.
“I have also
discussed with the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation but I felt it
is necessary for me to come and sit to discuss with you in order for us to
understand ourselves better. The issues with the team date back to the
All-Africa Games, bothering on allowances and bonuses. We are also aware that
the coaches are also being owed.
“The point I want to
make clear is that for this competition which this team have participated in
and won, we are indeed overwhelmed by the performance of the team.”
The Minister urged
the players and officials to be patient with the Government so that their
laudable achievement can be appreciated: “Personally, I don’t want this
achievement to be rubbished with whatever challenges we are facing because one
thing that will stand to the end is our achievements.”
Dalung concluded by
promising the Falcons that the process to sort out their money is in process,
and it will be sorted out eventually: “But one thing I want you all to know is
that there are procedures for getting such monies from the Federal Government.
It is not like an ATM that you will just go to and bring out cash. Government
has processes on how things are done. We are still processing and pursuing the
entitlements of the team.”
SUNNEWSONLINE
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