From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
NFF President, Amaju Pinnick said the financial challenges facing the soccer federation would end soon, thanks to his recent CAF electoral victory.
Amaju who spoke yesterday in Abuja disclosed that the soccer federation was on the verge of getting new sponsors. This, he noted, was a direct fall out of his electoral victory in CAF.
Amaju was last month elected a member of the CAF executive committee, even as his Madagascan ally, Ahmad Ahmad ousted old war horse, Issa Hayatou as CAF president.
“My victory is going to liberate Nigerian football. As we speak, sponsors are already falling over each other to identify with the NFF. My victory is simply a new dawn for Nigerian football,” Amaju said.
Continuing the NFF president said: “ The Chairman, Marketing Committee of NFF has started having series of meetings with some companies that want to do business with us.
“I want to assure you that things are looking very good with my victory. Companies are pouring in because nobody expected that the victory will come. For me the victory was a turning point and we are going to latch on it to change things. I m happy the nation’s business moguls are beginning to identify with us. Dangote has congratulated me. Otedola has called to felicitate with me. That shows we are on course.”
Commenting on the journey to the CAF seat, Pinnick said: “The first persons I spoke with when I started this journey were Shehu Dikko and my General Secretary. We all believed that it was a mission possible that we need a Nigerian to be in the CAF Executive Committee. It is new vista and channel that will help develop our football.
“I thank the Executive Committee of NFF and the Federal Government for endorsing my candidacy. The election was capital intensive because I travelled to over 35 countries. I thank the governors of Delta, Lagos, Edo and Cross River. The DG NIMASA, the ministry of Petroleum, my brother and friend, the CBN governor for their contributions.