For the eighth consecutive time, Nigeria’s national female football team, the Super Falcons, affirmed their superiority on the continent at the recently concluded African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) where they beat Cameroon in the final. It was a record-setting victory for the team handler, Miss Florence Omagbemi, who won the trophy as a player and a coach. The coveted Cup is indeed a Christmas gift to our soccer- loving nation.

But the supposed euphoria of their accomplishment was soured due to the Federal Government’s inability to pay them their entitlements. The defending champions camped for the competition and played the qualifiers without being paid their allowances and bonuses. Before the competition, there was an outstanding US$6,500 bonus each and additional accumulated US$17,500 for winning the competition. The Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung and some top Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials were insensitive enough to go and watch the final in a chartered flight. They left without any word for the team.

Back home, NFF President Amaju Pinnick, arrogantly told the players to vacate their Agura Hotel, Abuja lodging, as there was no money to pay them. This was in spite of an earlier assurance by the NFF Secretary General, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, that all the entitlements would be paid.

The Super Falcons ordeal is similar to the shabby and shameful treatment meted out to the Coach Samson Siasia-led U-23 Dream Team squad that won a bronze medal at the last Olympics in Brazil. Minister Dalung, who was at the centre of the Brazil Olympic fiasco, shocked Nigerians when he disclosed that no money was set aside for the Super Falcons because they were not expected to win the championship!

It is a national embarrassment that our male and female sports ambassadors are marginalised after doing the country proud. The President Muhammadu Buhari regime and Minister Dalung do not seem to be truly interested in using sports to advance our national interests, and this is very sad. We call for a change of heart and attitude because of the numerous benefits of sports.

We know that our economy is in recession, but that is hardly an excuse for the utter neglect of our sportsmen and women. Our government officials continue to live in official luxury, despite the recession. The impression must not be given that the gallant efforts of our sports ambassadors, especially the Super Falcons, are not appreciated.

The Federal Government should emulate the gesture of the Cameroonian authorities which honoured their squad with a presidential reception. That has been part of our own culture. These girls need their money, and the Federal Government must quickly make arrangements to pay them all their entitlements to enable them have a merry Christmas.