By Emma Jemegah
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has received the sum of N15 billion in the last seven years through budgetary appropriations and Presidential interventions.
The Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare, announced this on Tuesday at a ceremony in Abuja when President Muhammed Buhari received the 10-year Football Development Masterplan.
The Minister said the prescriptions set forth in the Football Masterplan, if followed through with the needed will and determination, would set Nigeria’s football on a very sure footing and position it amongst the best in the world.
He added that the implementation of the Plan would resolve most issues around the status of the domestication of Nigerian laws, NFF Statutes in line with FIFA Statutes and create room for harmonious relationships in the football value chain of this country.
“The Masterplan is envisioned to encapsulate functional strategies that would outlast the current administration and firmly place Nigerian football on the path to sustainable growth and development.
“Mr. President, with your approval, this document will be presented to the Federal Executive Council for approval and future funding, so that the implementation of the short, medium and long term plans can commence as part of the legacies of this administration.
“Thereafter, this document will be handed over to our football administrators, that is the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), who shall be expected to implement key elements of these reports in stages.”
Dare pledged that the Ministry will monitor the faithful implementation of the Masterplan to ensure that attention is paid to the business opportunities along the value chain, governance structure, standardisation, and prioritisation of the welfare of footballers, education and awareness.
“Focus will be on building capacity for sustainable, strategic youth development programmes, efficient club administration, positive stakeholder engagement which would include Referees, Players Union, Coaches Associations, supporters, investors, local and international partnerships and collaborations,” he said.
Dare also told the President that one of the most important aspects of the Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima’s 16-Man Committee’s work is the legal regime around football in Nigeria; and the Masterplan made some far reaching recommendations on laws and statutes governing the administration of football.