Lai Mohammed, minister of information, says the “biting economic situation” is responsible for the inability of sports authorities to pay the allowances of Super Falcons players despite winning the African Women’s Cup of Nations, AWCON.
Speaking with state house correspondents on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 Mohammed said the issue of the allowance of the senior female team came up at the end of the federal executive council, FEC, meeting.
He said Solomon Dalung, his counterpart in the sports ministry, was looking into the situation.
“The minister of youth and sports raised the issue today at the council and it is being looked into,” he said
“Over time, it has become tradition to reward victorious athletes of sports persons but I think this is caused by the biting economic situation. The minister of youths and sports is handling the matter. It was reported under other matters today at the council.”
The Super Falcons won the just concluded African Women’s Cup of Nations after beating hosts Cameroon 1-0 in the final of the competition on Saturday.
The victorious Super Falcons were reported to have embarked on a sit-in protest at Agora Hotel in Abuja over the non-payment of their allowances and bonuses.
The players have vowed not to leave the hotel until they receive their allowances.
