NFF to build hostels, pitches for national teams

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) may be about to take the best step it had ever taken in its history after the football house declared its intention to build hostels and training pitches for the use of the national teams.

Rising from its Executive Committee meeting in Abuja on Monday, the NFF through its spokesman Ademola Olajire stated that it was resolved during the meeting that the body has deemed it necessary to build these facilities for the usage of the teams.

The project is expected to be facilitated through the FIFA Forward Programme which has largely been underutilised by the Federation in times past. This time, the NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau is said to have made a proposal to that effect to his executives.

“The Board unanimously endorsed a proposal by its President to utilize the residual funds from FIFA Forward 2.0 and the proposed funds from the incipient FIFA Forward 3.0 for the construction of a befitting hostel accommodation for the National Teams, and the construction of two Football Pitches (one natural turf and one synthetic turf) for use by the Teams at the Goal Project section, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja,” stated a part of Olajire’s press release.

Should the project come to being, it should spell the end for the costs being incurred by the Federation to hotels in the FCT while the pitches will also afford the national teams the opportunity to train on decent structures ahead of important engagements.

This cheering news comes same day that the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development announced a partnership with the Oche Awodi Foundation regarding the renovation of the FIFA Goal Project complex also situated at the Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Nigeria’s national Under 17 team, the Golden Eaglets are currently preparing for the 2023 U17 AFCON at the ragged Goal Project pitch, same place the U20s also prepared for their own continental tournament.