Golden Eaglets Angry With Presidency Over Non- Payment Of World Cup Allowance

 

 

THEY were branded ‘heroes of our time’ after conquering the
rest of the world to win Nigeria’s fifth FIFA U-17 World Cup
title last week in Chile.
The Presidency and Nigerians from all walks of life
applauded the boys for “the exemplary zeal, determination,
commitment, hard work, patriotism and soccer artistry” they
displayed throughout the tournament.
Nigeria becoming the first country to win the title for a fifth
time was the biggest story of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile
2015.
But a few days after, the players are unhappy, lamenting
what they called ‘deliberate attempt’ on the part of the
Federal Government to turn their moment of joy to sorrow.
Unlike in the past, when such victorious teams were accorded
the best reception, including cash rewards, players of the
Golden Eaglets were allegedly handed a paltry N20,000 each,
as they were disbanded in Abuja last Thursday. The money,
according to the players, could not even fetch them flight
tickets to take them home to see their loved ones.
Now, the players are beginning to speak out their mind,
pointing accusing fingers at the Presidency.
“I was told the Presidency is yet to approve the budget
submitted by the NFF for our participation in the World Cup
and that is not good enough, one of the players, a striker,
told The Guardian yesterday, pleading anonymity. “As I speak
with you, we are yet to get our winning bonuses for some of
the matches we played in Chile. The NFF is telling us not to
speak with anybody concerning it (the non-payment), but for
how long?” he asked.
Another player, a midfielder, who also spoke with The
Guardian yesterday said: “The fact that we are young players
does not mean that we don’t need money. Since we returned
from Chile, it is expected that we show some appreciation to
some of our friends and relations, who prayed for our
success in the World Cup. We couldn’t buy gift from Chile
because the money was not there.
Our Senators and House of Representatives members should
come to our aid. We don’t even know if President
Muhammadu Buhari will host us or not.
But they should make money available for our camp
allowances and winning bonuses.”
No official of the NFF and the National Sports Commission
was willing to speak on the issue yesterday.