Nigeria releases Sh216 million Covid-19 relief for clubs, leagues
Nigeria's defender Kenneth Omeruo (second-left) celebrates his goal during their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match against Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium on June 26 , 2019. Giuseppe Cacace. Afp
What you need to know:
- The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) was suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
- Football has yet to resume in a bid to curtail the spread of the disease which has infected nearly 47,000 and killed almost 1,000 people in the country.
ABUJA
Nigeria's Football Federation (NFF) said on Tuesday it would disburse Sh216 million ($2 million) to clubs and leagues to cushion the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
"After consultations with the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Board endorsed the proposal from the secretariat for the lump sum of $2 million only to be shared across the various football clubs and governing bodies of the various Leagues," NFF said in a statement here.
The relief fund was made up of $1 million from Fifa's support for restarting the football season; $500,0000 from FIFA's grant for women's football; $300,000 of Caf support to member associations and $200,000 from sponsors of the Nigerian FA.
The beneficiary leagues are the Nigeria Professional Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women's Football League and the Nigeria Nationwide League.
The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) was suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Football has yet to resume in a bid to curtail the spread of the disease which has infected nearly 47,000 and killed almost 1,000 people in the country.
The new football season is tentatively scheduled to start by October.
