Football
Financial Dependency, Bane Of NFA - Sani Lulu

CHAIRMAN of the Nigeria Football Association, Alhaji Sani Lulu has cried out that the perennial financial dependency of the Association on government does not augur well for the growth of football in the country, hotsportslive.com reports.

“The problem of dependency is quite serious and it may not actually propel our development to the highest height”, stated Alhaji Lulu in Lagos.

Nigeria football has continuously been tied to the apron string of government with the result that it is not attracting enough corporate involvement as it should despite the country’s high rating internationally.

The FA Chief, Lulu, says government funding is nothing to write home about given the scope of its responsibilities and the vision of the new board.

“The government has done its best, it has actually supported us financially, but obviously this funding is grossly inadequate for what we want to do. We want to rule the world and to rule the world, we have to actualize our plans.

“And these plans are fully dependent on adequate resources. Without much resources, there is little we can do.

“Nigerians have been very supportive of this new board so far but we need a massive injection of funds into our football."

The 2007 calendar has exacted so much from the often cash-strapped NFA with its consequences. With barely five months to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in China, the Association is yet to kickstart a programme for the Women National team, the Super Falcons. The expected power change in May , may further hamper the team’s preparations.

April 16, 2007