The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, on Thursday explained why the Federal Government have not been able to pay the entitlements of Nigeria’s female national team, the Super Falcons almost a week after winning the just-concluded CAF African Women Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
According to Dalung, who spoke with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the FG did not expect the Super Falcons to win the tournament hence the difficulties in paying the players’ entitlements.
The players had seized the trophy they won at the competition and said they would hold on to the trophy until the authorities concerned offset the N238.05m accumulated bonuses which they are being owed.
They had threatened that if President Muhammadu Buhari refused to address their grievances at the Federal Executive Council’s meeting on Wednesday, they would embark on protest on the streets of Abuja.
But the minister said the situation could have been avoided if the Nigerian Football Federation had envisaged that the team would win and put in place the process of paying their entitlements.
He said, “Don’t forget that nobody even knew the team will emerge victorious.
“If we were confident they will emerge victorious, all the federation would have done is to plan for process of participation and entitlement.
“It is already established in sports tradition, when you win this is what you are entitled to.
“The situation is highly unfortunate and I don’t like it. These girls have given confidence to women who want to embrace sports, so this will go a long way in killing this laudable achievement. It is unfortunate but we will make sure the right thing is done.”
Since the Minister made the comment, Nigerians on Twitter have been reacting in no friendly manner.
See few of the comments below:
@MobilePunch fG says they never knew Falcon will win. D person dat make this comment shd resign. This country is been rule by vision less pp
— adepoju sunday (@oponene) December 8, 2016
@MobilePunch @Saatah I feel like crying now. Imagine (my) FG making such statement?……Lord help me…….
— DEEP CUM THOUGHT (@NicelyWild) December 8, 2016
@MobilePunch they wished they failed, what a country called Nigeria
— 042 (@Freshly_up) December 8, 2016
@MobilePunch so ridiculous…why will a reasonable govt have such believe ,if you don’t believe in them why did you sent them out .?
— freedom project (@mayowakelani1) December 8, 2016
@MobilePunch what an embarrassment…! If you don’t know they will win now they have won. So stop further self mockery n do something good.
— Engineer (@brema1) December 8, 2016
@MobilePunch enemies of progress.so dat it wuld v bn an infallible prove 2 swallow their allowances jus lik it happen 2 d U17 girls.
— My Heart (@moseschi76) December 8, 2016
