Nike Sponsorship deal will bring better days to Nigerian Football- NFF President

Babalola Tomiwa

The Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick has expressed happiness after sealing Nike Kit Sponsorship deal with the Nigeria football in the area of sponsorship.

Pinnink said this on Thursday in London, and has expressed confidence that it will open new doors for the Nigerian football.

“I am thoroughly convinced that this agreement is the beginning of good and great things to happen to Nigeria football with regards to sponsorship deals.

“The NFF is happy to come into partnership with a leading global brand like NIKE. We are in good company.”

Pinnick believes there will be even more glorious moments for Nigeria football in the coming years than during NIKE’s first partnership with the NFF between 1994 and 2003.

“During those years, Nigeria won a first-ever Olympics football gold (1996) and reached the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup (1998). But I have no doubts whatsoever that this second coming of NIKE into Nigeria football will bring even more joyous moments with plenty of laurels for the National Teams.

“Nigeria football has excellent potential all around and a top global brand like NIKE will help to spur the processes that the present NFF administration has put in place to drive our game to the next level.”

The NFF President commended the efforts of the Federation’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodata Sports, in sealing the contract. “We appreciate the hard work that Mr. Pachon and his Eurodata Sports are making in the interest of Nigeria football. They are good working partners and their contributions are invaluable.”

The agreement was signed at The Soho Hotel, Richmond Mews, London on Thursday afternoon. The NFF team at the signing comprised Pinnick, High Chief Emeka Inyama (chairman of NFF Marketing Committee), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau (Member of the NFF Executive Committee), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (NFF General Secretary), Mr. Stephen Keshi (Super Eagles’ Head Coach), Mr. Ademola Olajire (Assistant Director, Communications) and Barrister Okey Obi (Chief Legal Officer).

NIKE was represented by Tina Salminen, the company’s Africa Football Sports Marketing Director.

American company NIKE also kits the world’s leading football teams including five-time world champions Brazil, France (1998 world champions), England (world champions in 1966), Netherlands (World Cup runners-up in 1974, 1978 and 2010, and bronze medallists at last year’s finals in Brazil), Portugal (third place finishers at 1966 World Cup), Korea Republic, USA and Australia.