We didn’t ask athletes to buy their tickets to Rio – Sports Minister

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung has debunked reports that the Ministry has asked foreign based athletes going to the Olympic Games in Rio to buy their own air tickets. 

In a statement released today, Dalung revealed that the Director, High Performance Angie Taylor has been saddled with the responsibility of arranging for the flights and movement of the foreign based athletes to and from Rio.

We did not write any mail asking athletes to pay their way to Rio. As the overseers of sports in the country, it is our duty to take care of all our athletes. The letter did not come from us and we will investigate the writer of that letter. It does not represent our stand concerning the movement of athletes to Rio and the writer or anybody asking athletes to buy their tickets to Rio will be investigated. We ask Nigerians and athletes in particular to disregard the mail,” he said.

Solomon Dalung denies endorsing a foreign coach for the Super Eagles


Minister for Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung has denied giving his approval for the recruitment of a foreign coach for the Super Eagles. He made this known while addressing newsmen in Lagos yesterday. The 52 year-old Minister said the Nigeria Football Federation is yet to convince him to see the need to employ a foreign coach for the squad.. 

“I have never given an approval for the recruitment of a foreign coach. I have been approach by the federation for the recruitment of the foreign coach, and I said `convince me as to why a foreign coach is the best’, and they said, `well we have not received a technical report of the match that we played and crashed out’. “So, they will give me that report alongside convincing reason for a foreign coach. 

“Then I said well in doing that also try to answer this question: `why is it not possible to pay Nigerian coaches salaries, but it will be possible for us to recruit a foreign coach and pay’ and they said `somebody has declared interest’. “And I put the second question: `can you also ask that same person why he is he not interested in giving us money to pay Nigeria coaches and see how they will fair than going to recruit foreign coaches’. “So, if I am understood to have endorsed a foreign coach, I think it’s a misconception. “I haven’t endorsed a foreign coach, but I am still demanding a convincing reason I should believe in a foreign coach.’’ 

Sports Minister orders NFF to pay coaches' salaries

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung in a meeting with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board on Tuesday ordered the governing body to pay all outstanding salaries and allowances of national team coaches and officials with immediate effect.
“We received a report that the bonuses of all the players have been cleared [Monday] but there are challenges with the salaries of the officials.
“I have directed that the available funds in the federation should be mopped up to pay the officials because an empty stomach does not hear the voice of gospel.” He said.

"Pay outstanding bonuses and allowances before Christmas". Sports Minister tells NFF

Nigeria’s sports minister, Solomon Dalung has ordered the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay all outstanding allowances and bonuses to Golden Eaglets, the Super Falcons and the Falconets, and various officials of diverse teams. He gave the directive during the 71st General Assembly of the NFF which took place yesterday at Transcop Hilton Hotel, Abuja., . 
“I have heard series of complaints from players and coaches of how their salaries and allowances were not paid. From previous reports of crisis from the players’ camp, the issue has always been that officials took players money! Please pay them their money. 
“An angel said to the three wise men behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy. This is Christmas season. Bring glad tidings to the players. Pay them all outstanding bonuses and allowances before Christmas.” He  stated
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