The committee put together by Solomon Dalung, Nigeria’s minister for Youth & Sports Development, to generate funds for the Super Eagles’ participation at the 2018 World Cup in Russia has stated that the team will need N3 billion for effective participation.
So far, the committee has realized N80 million following its official launch at the weekend in Abuja, although some donors did not reveal the amount they pledged.
The Super Eagles are drawn in Group D alongside Argentina, Croatia and Iceland in the World Cup which will hold from June 14 to July 15.
The donors include: Total Nigeria, AITEO, Atlas Oranto Petroleum, Abia state, Kano state, Lagos state and Kebbi state.
Speaking at the fund raiser, Minister Dalung stated that the intention of the Federal Government is to mobilise ‘non- state resources’ for the Super Eagles, noting that improper preparation and participation of national teams in regional and international sports events have been influenced by poor funding.
In his speech, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Olusade Adesola, told invitees to the event that the overall budget for preparation and participation is estimated at N3 billion, with N1.5 billion expected from Government, and the balance proposed to be generated through fund-raising efforts.
