Second vice-president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mallam Shehu Dikko has heaped praises on American sports kit firm, Nike for keeping faith with the soccer governing body.
Dikko, who is also chairman of the NFF’s Marketing, Sponsorship and TV Rights Committee stated as much during the new contract signing ceremony with Nike at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Tuesday.
Footballlive.ng reports further that Dikko, who is also chairman of the country’s League Mangement Company (LMC) acknowledged that Nike’s faith in Nigerian football is encouraging and heartwarming.
He disclosed further that, not only does the new agreement have more money and a lot of other freebies attached it, it is also flexible with regards to market situation, and performance of Nigeria’s teams.
Dikko pointed out: “They never stopped believing in us and in our teams, and after they conducted their due diligence on everyone involved in the running of the NFF.
“They were very eager to sign this new deal as far back as when we returned from the World Cup in Russia. But we kept telling them to give us some time.
“We are very happy because this new agreement comes with good money on annual basis, more supplies, (and) improved qualification bonus for our teams.
“(There is also) door-to-door delivery of kits, royalty for the NFF on jerseys sold and it has now been expanded to include our women national teams.
“We have a window for renewal of this contract in 2023 but most terms of the agreement as presently constituted would improve should the Super Eagles make a huge impact at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“This contract brings a huge sigh of relief. Now, we do not have to worry about clearing kits at the ports because NIKE now has that responsibility to bring it to our door.
“All the National Teams are now captured, we earn money on number of jerseys sold and a new kit will be designed for Nigeria prior to the 2020 Olympics Games in Tokyo.”
