By Amaechi Agbo

Enugu State Football Association Chairman, Chidi Ofo Okenwa has defended Nigeria Football Federation, NFF President, Amaju Pinnick on the recent prouncement banning U-17 players with agents from invitation to the Golden Eaglets camp, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

In a release Monday, Mr Okenwa who is also the Vice Chairman Technical Committee, NFF, said that Mr Amaju was quoted out of context adding that the decision was intended to prevent “ambush marketing” by agents who impose players on the coaches.

The release reads:

The position of the NFF President Amaju Melvin Pinnick on the economic rights of the forthcoming National under – 17 Players is being presented out of context by a small group of individuals who are in good pole positions to ask questions on the template for the programme.

Experience has shown that in recent times the National Age Group Teams have been assembled by the third party in lieu of the Coaches and the NFF in the darkness of the doubts of unsuspecting populace. In view of the above, the NFF Executive Committee in good wisdom knowing that all Players belong to Clubs/Academies and are or ought to be affiliated to the NFF via State Football Associations developed a template to ensure ambush marketing and other under carpet activities never again effect the assemblage and performance of the Teams. In the template, the Federation is properly guided by the FIFA’s Economic Right Rules. Those butting for ban on this matter should better look elsewhere as the template covers all parties involved in the system.

While appreciating all well meaning Nigerians for their support to the NFF at this austere time please be assured it can only get better. Great Grace upon Nigeria in the years ahead.

• Chidi Ofo Okenwa
  Vice Chairman Technical Committee, NFF