Dalung blames NFF for Falcons bonus delay

The Nigeria Football Federation’s shoddy arrangement is responsible for the delay in the payment of Super Falcons’ bonuses allowances, Sports Minister Solomon Dalung said on Thursday.
The Super Falcons won the eighth AWCON title on Saturday after defeating hosts Cameroon 1-0.
Dalung said that the NFF was to blame for the situation for not submitting the request for funds for the team in good time. He said the government was working on resolving the issue.
The players are also holding the Federation responsible for not paying them camp allowances, match bonuses and their coaches’ salaries, which have accrued for over eight months. Reports say each player is entitled to $23,400.
One of the players revealed that “officials of the federation came to give each of us $100 as transport allowance and told us to go home with the promise that they will pay us in January”.
But Dalung reassured them that they will receive all their entitlements.
The minister, who was in company with NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, met with the players and officials at their Agura Hotel, Abuja on Thursday.
“I had to make time out to meet with you ladies again after receiving you on arrival in Lagos. In the past few days, I have heard so much about the team’s grievances, challenges and issues here and there.
 “I have also discussed with the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation but I felt it is necessary for me to come and discuss with you in order for us to understand ourselves better. The issues with the team date back to the All-Africa Games, bordering on allowances and bonuses. We are also aware that the coaches are also being owed.
“The point I want to make clear is that for this competition which this team have participated in and won, we are indeed overwhelmed by the performance of the team.”
 The Minister urged the players and officials to be patient with the Government so that their laudable achievement can be appreciated: “Personally, I don’t want this achievement to be rubbished with whatever challenges we are facing because one thing that will stand to the end is our achievements.”
 Dalung concluded by promising the Falcons that the process to sort out their money is on, and it will be sorted out eventually: “But one thing I want you all to know is that there are procedures for getting such monies from the Federal Government. It is not like an ATM that you will just go to and bring out cash. Government has processes on how things are done. We are still processing and pursuing the entitlements of the team.”