Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has assured the public that it has nothing to hide regarding the $1.7 million allocated by the Federal Government for the Super Falcon’s participation in the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
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The NFF’s statement comes in response to former Green Eagles winger, Adegoke Adelabu, who called on the football house to be prepared to account for the expenditure after the competition.
Adelabu emphasized the importance of transparency, suggesting that subjecting the NFF to forensic auditing after the World Cup would bring clarity to how the funds were utilized.
The news of the approved amount, leaked from the office of the Chief of Staff in the Presidential Villa, has sparked mixed reactions among stakeholders.
While some criticize the leak of “classified documents,” others see it as a way to hold the NFF accountable. Some stakeholders question why the Federal Government provided such a significant amount when FIFA had already granted $1.5 million for team preparation and would pay $30,000 to each player participating in the World Cup after the first round.
In response to these concerns, an anonymous NFF official clarified that the approved funds were designated for specific purposes. Initially, the request included winning bonuses for players, but the NFF revised it when FIFA announced its $30,000 payment for players.
The breakdown of the budget now includes daily allowances for players, winning bonuses, estacode for coaches and technical officials, and medical expenses. Notably, the responsibility for addressing serious medical issues lies with FIFA, but it is the duty of the federation to provide medical support for players and officials during the competition.
Furthermore, the NFF’s decision to approve Coach Randy Waldrum’s request for a fitness trainer has proven to be beneficial for the Super Falcons at the World Cup, according to the Federation’s Secretary-General, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
The NFF’s declaration of transparency and accountability aims to allay concerns and demonstrate their commitment to managing the allocated funds responsibly for the Super Falcon’s participation in the prestigious tournament.
As the competition progresses, stakeholders and the public will be keenly observing how the funds are utilized and whether the team can achieve success on the international stage.
