The Chairman of the NFF Task Force for the underage teams, Aminu Balele Kurfi has revealed that he is rewarding the national female U-17 team, Flamingos because of his passion for the game.
Speaking to journalists, Balele said he wanted to encourage the girls in recognition of their bronze-medal victory at the just-finished FIFA U-17 Women’s tournament in India.
He made a personal donation of $10,000 for the team, saying he will continue to support and encourage all the age-grade teams to give their best to the country.
“It is the passion for me to donate money. I love the game and I have an interest in it. The girls went to India and deserve to be encouraged and that is why I played my part in encouraging them. We will continue to encourage,” he said.
He further said the task force for a short-term basis and called on other stakeholders like Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Barrister Chris Green to join hands with him to improve the game.
Green who is also the Chairman of Football Association of Rivers state, recently said the composition of the board is not one to expect much from.
He said there are some “rookies” on the board which according to him is not what is needed in the NFF now.
“The task force is a short-term issue but we will do our best to see how the young lads are transformed into bigger stars in future. We will do our best to see the lads get good clubs within and outside the country.
“You have the knowledge, come and impact. Green lost his match 6-0 and this is the first time Nigeria will lose with that scoreline. You are attacking us but we are ready for constructive criticism.
“If I were the governor of Rivers State, I would sack him. I am not throwing stones, it is facts. We need them to assist us. They left us, they didn’t come for this celebration, they are congressmen. They were not in Ibadan,” he stated.
