The Nigeria Football Federation has commended the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung, for his statement that the NFF should stick to a proper developmental framework for players of the U-17 and U-23 National Teams before approving International Transfer Ceritificates for these players.

Speaking on Tuesday, NFF President Amaju Pinnick said the Minister’s statement and general comments with regards to the monitoring of the players were in tandem with the plans of the Nigeria Football Federation for the glory boys.

“We said it a number of weeks ago that we are developing a framework for monitoring the career progression of these players, with a view to ensuring they sign contracts that will be in their best interests and the best interest of the nation.

“The Minister did not talk about NFF selling players, because he knows very well that the NFF is not in the business of selling players. The NFF only issues International Transfer Certificates after due agreement between the concerned Clubs, and the player in question. The bit about NFF selling players was never part of the Honourable Minister’s comments.”

Pinnick once more urged the media to endeavour to always put issues in proper perspective, and to support the push of the NFF for greater involvement of Corporate Nigeria in football by avoiding negative headlines.

“I want to reiterate that the NFF does not sell players, and has never been in the business of selling players. The Honourable Minister has given the right charge for the NFF to develop a framework to monitor the type of contracts the players sign, for their own career progression, and to checkmate the selfish plans of football agents. This is very much in line with our own policy as a Football Federation.

“We will work assiduously to ensure that the players sign only contracts that will benefit them, their future, their families and the nation.”