The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), has criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), over its plans to allow the country’s U-17 team to travel by road to Nigeria for the 2015 CAF U-17 Championship.
Nigeria are the current world champions and will begin the defence of their crown, by participating in the tournament which will be held from February 15 to March in Niger.
The NFF confirmed that the Golden Eaglets would undergo the 515km trip to Niamey from Sokoto by road.
Andrew Abah, the secretary general of the association, has blasted the NFF for not considering the security of the young players.
“It is quite unfortunate and very sad that young and talented boys representing this country will be subjected to violence especially with the wave of security challenges in Niger and then to subject them by road from Sokoto to Niamey,” Abah told media.
“It has never happened in this country that the NFF can never afford a flight ticket that will fly these boys to Niamey. Even in Niger, some zones have been declared on [sic] state of emergency.
“And they want our players to go by road U17 representing this country for them to qualify for the World Cup. What if they are kidnapped tomorrow or something else happens to them, then what will happen. Then you will now say the government has failed.
“Why are we subjecting these young boys with future that they want to represent this country to such hardship? Is it a crime to represent this country? I will have been happy if Pinnick will accompany them by road with other board members.”
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