THE DEBACLE BEHIND REPRESENTING A NATION
I have been pondering over the issues surrounding the unpaid bonuses and allowances of the Nigerian Female football team that has thus far degenerated into an open show of shame extending to the international media scene.
Having placed the nation's name on the pedestal of glory for the umpteenth time; why should the very ones who have given us a reason to celebrate be treated with misprision as had been visited upon them by those in charge of football administration. If the labour of our past heroes should never be in vain, why should our heroes in the present time sweat off the field of duty before getting what is rightfully theirs...a labourer certainly deserves his/her reward.
The Falcons became champions of Africa for the eighth time and this was to 'the surprise' of the sports minister who did not expect to make a winning return- a dent on the ministry which ought to be the no. 1 motivator [aside self-motivation] of any team representing the country's interest in international competitions: this raises eyebrow on the competence of those entrusted with administrative responsibilities in this area. Maybe it would have been better to rescind our participation and not bother expending taxpayers on an 'unproductive' mission [when one considers the minister's unguarded submission].
The players have had to go on an unprecedented bout of protest to make their grievances [over unpaid entitlements] known and to the NFF administrators is: why do they have to wait for a protest before things get done? Much to the distastefulness [as seen via social media] of Nigerians, the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick did come out to say that the protesting players will be banned from national team duties and that he will even go ahead to report them to their respective clubs. But does the NFF President really size up his words before uttering them?
Banning them after their meritorious feat goes to show an abuse of human resources-'use and dump'- since he perceives that there are others who will gladly take their (the present crop of players) place without ruminating over what had befallen their victorious and 'protesting' compatriots. The disposition of the NFF President is not only a betrayal to the players [whose interest he ought to protect] but also denial of the office he is holding. And to report these players to their clubs overseas would yet broaden the show of shame which he has failed to realize.
Issues over unpaid allowances have bedeviled the Nigerian sports sector for a long time and one wonders if this would ever stop. Apart from unavailability and non-maintenance of sporting infrastructures, one major reason why Nigeria will continually lose great talents to well organised countries, is substandard welfare and poor human management skills hence those who claim to be 'patriotic' need not be harsh on those who have tolled the line of choosing the better option available to them. The Super Falcons definitely have no option of trading allegiance but one thing is sure: every well-meaning Nigerian stand with them as they aim to claim what is theirs.
Report reaching media outlets has it that the Federal Government has ordered the release of funds to offset the money owed the players and I hope this get to them on time. Female football deserves more and representing the nation's interest should be dissolved of the kind of debacle that we are experiencing at the moment.