Nigeria’s Ministry of Youth and Sports development has detailed how it rallied to raise funds for embattled former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia in his fight to reverse a life ban handed to him by world football governing body, FIFA, over alleged match-fixing allegations.
The Ministry of Sports was forced to give details of its efforts after Siasia accused the Federal Government of Nigeria for abandoning him during his alleged match-fixing allegations case.
The former Nantes FC of France player who spilt his guts during an interview with AllAfrica said that he is not getting what he deserves and was neglected by his country.
Despite his sacrifices, the 53-year-old believes he is not getting what he deserves and was neglected by his country.
In its defense, the Sports Ministry in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by John Joshua-Akanji, Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, declared that contrary to Siasia’s claim, the ministry actually made fruitful efforts to raise money for ex-football international.
“The ministry, through the Minister, was able to raise the money which Siasia personally collected while he was also connected to persons and entities who raised money to assist him in appealing his case at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS),” said Joshua-Akanji.
“In response to concerted appeal launched by the Minister, the Governors of Lagos, Edo and Delta made available money which was handed over to Siasia at different times.
“A couple of individuals, at the instance of the Minister, also raised money which was handed to him in cash.
“The Minister stayed on top of the case by pulling all strings to assist Siasia.
“In addition to the governors of Edo, Delta and Lagos, he (Dare) made an appeal to Gov. Kayode Fayemi who is the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor.
“In another instance, the Minister took Siasia on a visit to the then Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson, to appeal for support for him.
“Siasia’s claim that government did nothing to assist him is untrue, deceitful, and misleading.
“While there is no budgetary provision for such incidents, the Ministry and the Office of the Minister gave Siasia all the support that led to the mitigation of his life ban from football-related activities,” he added.
