OPINION: FIFA Grant Is A Palliative But Strictly For The NFF Not The General Public

OPINION: FIFA Grant Is A Palliative But Strictly For The NFF Not The General Public

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It is no secret that the world has been caught off-guard by the coronavirus, most especially trade, commerce and economies of not just Nations but the World

Here in Nigeria, it is no different as lockdown, restrictions on virtually everything we were used to and of course, the ailing economy, culminate to make our case, an even dire one

While some cooperate bodies and Nigerians have been doling out support to the FG to combat the pandemic, a handful of gentlemen like the Anambra State FA Chairman, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Ubah (Ide Egwuregwu) alongside Chief Ejidike (Nigeria Pillar of Sports), have made donations to the Sporting community in Nigeria, to support the battle against coronavirus

In similar vein, the apex football body, FIFA, announced that it will be giving $500k to every affiliated Federation in the world, as part of its contribution towards fighting the pandemic but enclosed in the statement from FIFA is a clear stipulation as to exactly what the money was and how it should be used.

Permit me to quote FIFA thus “This immediate financial assistance should be used to mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19 on football in member associations, namely to meet financial or operational obligations that they may have towards staff and other third parties. The standard obligations and responsibilities in relation to the use of these funds as outlined in the Forward 2.0 Regulations remain fully applicable and will be subject to the standard audit and reporting process.”

So the calls from some sections for the football community to disburse the monies to the general football community in Nigeria is not just wrong but totally out of place especially as FIFA has resolved to setup a Monitoring System to checkmate if these funds were used assiduously

From the FIFA statement, the instructions were clear:

  1. The money is for the NFF only
  2. It is to be used to keep the Federation running because most countries like Nigeria cannot afford to map out excess funds for Federations now
  3. It is to be used to pay salaries of the NFF staff and any other third party deemed necessary ie State FAs et al

Most importantly, the NFF should note that this money might be the only one they will get till this pandemic is defeated, given the fact that Nigeria was on the cusps of borrowing more money to keep the country running before this hand of God, which has also affected oil sales

In summary, Pinnick should endeavor to be very misery with this money, in order to make sure that the Federation doesn’t go under, till eureka arrives once more

Long live the NFF

Long live Nigeria Football

©Ugochukwu ‘Thanos’ Ifeanyi
Media/Sports Consultant
Nnewichi Nnewi
Anambra State

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