President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been praised for his unwavering support of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
George Aluo, an Executive Board member of the NFF, expressed his appreciation for the Tinubu administration’s steadfast backing of the federation during a conversation with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. He noted that the current administration’s support has been unparalleled in recent years.
“I will say that we at NFF have not lacked support from the administration of Tinubu,” Aluo stated. “The success of the Super Eagles at the Nations Cup is largely due to the substantial support from the President, who approved all the requirements presented by the Minister of Sports Development.”
Aluo highlighted the significant impact of Tinubu’s support, noting that the Federal Government had cleared all outstanding debts owed by the NFF, including bonuses and arrears. This financial backing, he said, had a positive effect on the national team’s performance in Cote d’Ivoire, eliminating the usual distractions caused by unpaid bonuses.
Reflecting on past experiences, Aluo recalled the last-minute efforts needed to settle players’ bonuses during the World Cup in Russia, a situation that was thankfully avoided this time. “We did not have such a situation in Cote d’Ivoire, and to this extent, I will say kudos to the President,” he added.
However, Aluo pointed out that the NFF still faces challenges due to the lack of corresponding support from the corporate and private sectors. He emphasized that football and sports, in general, are big businesses that should not rely solely on government funding. He urged the government to create an enabling environment for corporate and individual investment in sports.
“I know that the Federal Government has a policy where if you invest in sports, you will get a return on your investment,” Aluo said. He mentioned that under former Sports Minister Sunday Dare, sports were promoted as a lucrative business, offering tax rebates to corporate sponsors.
Aluo also commended NFF President Ibrahim Gusau for his dedication and commitment to ensuring the success of football in Nigeria, urging corporate Nigeria to take advantage of the government’s supportive policies and invest in the development of sports.
