The Federal Government on Thursday gave a new insight into its inability to pay the allowances of the Super Falcons, saying that it did not know that they would win the 2016 African Women Nation's Cup Trophy.
Sports Minister Solomon Dalung told State House correspondents that had the government been confident that the team would win the trophy, the process of paying their entitlements would have been planned.
The Super Falcons, who crushed their Cameroonian counterparts on Saturday to emerge victorious, had reportedly seized the trophy following the inability of the Nigerian Football Federation to pay their bonuses and allowances.
"Don't forget that nobody even knew the team would emerge victorious. If we were confident they would emerge victorious, all the federation would have done is to plan for process of participation and entitlement. And when they win, it's already established in sports tradition that when you win, this is what you're entitled to.
"The situation is highly unfortunate and I don't like it, these girls have given confidence to women who want to embrace sports. So, this will go a long way in killing this laudable achievement. It's unfortunate, but we'll make sure the right thing is done," he stated.
Sports Minister Solomon Dalung told State House correspondents that had the government been confident that the team would win the trophy, the process of paying their entitlements would have been planned.
The Super Falcons, who crushed their Cameroonian counterparts on Saturday to emerge victorious, had reportedly seized the trophy following the inability of the Nigerian Football Federation to pay their bonuses and allowances.
"Don't forget that nobody even knew the team would emerge victorious. If we were confident they would emerge victorious, all the federation would have done is to plan for process of participation and entitlement. And when they win, it's already established in sports tradition that when you win, this is what you're entitled to.
"The situation is highly unfortunate and I don't like it, these girls have given confidence to women who want to embrace sports. So, this will go a long way in killing this laudable achievement. It's unfortunate, but we'll make sure the right thing is done," he stated.