Pinnick Lauds Passing Of NFF Bill By Senate

Nigerian Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick believes that the passing of the establishment bill of the NFF by the Senate is a landmark achievement reports Completesports.com.

The bill seeks to ensure mandatory systematic development of football through institutional, age and gender competitions and it provides for the development of coaches and referees to enable them to participate in international competitions among others.

The bill was approved by the Senate after Shehu Sani, senator representing Kaduna central, moved for its consideration on Tuesday.

“The passing of the NFF Bill is a landmark achievement,” Pinnick said in an interview on Channels Television program Sunrise which was monitored by Completesports.com.

“We are driven with a passion to serve and have not been perturbed by the distraction.”

“The NFF remains forever grateful to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) for the several praiseworthy moves and policies that have boosted the development of football administration and organization in Nigeria over the past four years.”

“Indeed, we can never over-emphasize the President and his Government’s tremendous support for the present NFF to overcome its several challenges and forge ahead in taking Nigerian Football to new heights.

“We want to greatly applaud the National Assembly for the passage of the NFF Bill. It is a major victory by, and legacy for, the present NFF administration. A lot of effort went into pushing the Bill, and we are very happy that it has finally been passed.

“Indeed, the passage of the bill, and if assented to by Mr. President, will strengthen our resolve and provide framework to fast-track our objectives to make football an integral part of the Nigeria economy as is happening in some other countries across the globe,” Pinnick added.

An outline of the NFF Bill shows that it, among other things, repealed the NFA Act and established NFF; recognizes football as a National Asset entitled to special privileges and concessions; recognizes the NFF Statutes as supreme law for football administration in Nigeria; recognizes that the Federation and its members shall be self-governed by the Federation; recognizes NFF as a private sector –driven and self –governing non-profit body; recognizes that all disputes should be resolved by alternate dispute resolution mechanisms enshrined in the Statutes, with FIFA and CAS as final bus-stops and; that membership of NFF being voluntary, all members/participants shall be deemed to have waived rights to take internal disputes to ordinary courts of law.

It also provided for the NFF to publish its annual audited accounts and to keep same for inspection by members; clear –cut process on how Government will support the NFF through grants, subventions and appropriations; clear –cut process for Government to confer benefits, concessions and tax rebates on companies sponsoring football; organize and operate its secretariat and employ staff under its standard employment contract as done in the private sector; streamline and enhance transparency in transfer of players; provides the framework for the domestication of the NFF and FIFA Statutes and; provides clear-cut process for Government to support football by giving the National Broadcaster funds to buy broadcast rights from NFF and the Leagues at commercially viable terms and broadcast football events through the networks.

Pinnick revealed that there is a ploy against the NFF to scare away their sponsors from bankrolling the national teams.

“Target of those distracting us is to chase our sponsors with untrue stories, but we have been able to assure our sponsors that all is well.”

“We are not distracted at all. We have so many National Teams engaged in preparation or actual participation in major competitions presently, and cannot afford to lose focus.”

“Our commitment to ensure that our teams harness glory for the country from each and every match and competition has not waned in any way.”

By Johnny Edward.