Eagles bonus: Minister leaves implementation to NFF

AUGUST 21, 2013  

Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
| credits: economicconfidential.net

The prepared Super Eagles code of conduct will be presented to the Minister of Sports Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi on Thursday in Abuja. But even though the committee that investigated the players’ strike in Namibia was set up by the minister, he has said that the involvement of his office and that of the National Sports Commission will end with the production of the rule book as the implementation of the content will be that of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Abdullahi also told our correspondent on Monday that the commencement of the implementation of the decision on the match-win bonus rests with the NFF, who are directly in charge of the running of football in the country.

He said, “At the time we stepped in, it was quite necessary; the situation was virtually getting out of control. As a supervisory body, we have done what we should do for football just as we could have done for other sports with similar issues.

“First, I don’t have the document prepared and so the major decisions on it can only be taken when we see what has been recommended and advised. We could not receive it because there was a break created by the World Athletics Championships in Russia. But in terms of implementation, we are leaving the NFF to handle things the best way that works out for them. They relate directly with the players.”

The committee also touched on the knotty match bonus which created the major disagreement between the players and the NFF in Windhoek, Namibia in June. The NFF, which cited cash problems, had paid the players $5,000 for the win in Nairobi, Kenya few days earlier and $2,500 for the draw in Namibia, which they rejected. They insisted on getting the double as they had been paid $10,000 for a win in competitive matches since 2010. The committee has recommended that the bonus be pegged at $5,000.

The next match for the national team is a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Malawi on September 7 in Calabar. The implementation of the new regime is expected to start with the match.

“When it starts depends on the NFF. They have made it very clear that they can no longer afford to pay the huge money and from all indications, the players now understand with them. Everything done so far is keeping in line with the reality on ground,” Abdullahi said.

A member of the committee told The PUNCH that even though they could not get direct response from some of the key players in the team, they had enough input from other players and from  across all sections involved with running the team.