FG Approves N1.3bn For Super Falcons' Participation At 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

FG Approves N1.3bn For Super Falcons' Participation At 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

By Niyi Busari

The Federal Government of Nigeria on 14th July 2023 approved the sum of One million and seven hundred thousand US dollars ($1.7m) which is equivalent of One billion, three hundred and twenty million and fifty thousand (N1,320,050,000) for Super Falcons' smooth participation at the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, BSNSports.com.ng can reports.

This is contained in a leaked confidential document signed by the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila where the Ministry of Sports on behalf of the NFF wrote a request letter demanding for $2m from the FG as the fund was not captured in the 2023 Ministry's intervention fund. The NFF had submitted the budget of Two Million dollars before it was slashed to $1.7m in a bid to facilitate the smooth participation of Super Falcons at the ongoing FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The total amount ($1.7m) containing 47 items in which the monies would be spent on includes payment of daily allowances for coaches, back room staff and players, payment for the winning bonuses for officials and players from the preliminary games to the final

Included in the letter to receive daily allowance and estacode are: Incoming Minister of Sports, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, General Secretary of NFF, Four NFF Board Members, NFF President, three management staff, three ministry aides, NFF officials, two State Football Association Chairmen and one state FA Secretary.

The intervention fund covers all the days (from Group Stage to the final) the competition will take place in Switzerland and Australia. Aside the total amount which would be released by the FG, the NFF will still get $1.7m participation fee from FIFA.

Super Falcons had on 21st July pulled a barren draw against Olympic Champions, Canada in their group opener and will face the co-host, Australia on 27th before their final group game versus Republic of Ireland on 31st July.

Recall that a total sum of $3.2m intervention funds was approved for the NFF for 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia where the Super Eagles failed to go past the group stages. $1.6m meant for Super Eagles participation at the 2018 World Cup from the group stage to the quarter-final was released before the commencement of the competition but despite their exit at the group stage, no money was refunded back to the Federal Government.