Kit sponsorship: We’re still operating within Adidas grace period says NFF

The Nigeria Football Federation says the grace period given to it by Adidas following the expiration of its kit sponsorship deal has yet to expire.

Idris Adama, the NFF Director of Marketing, told News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that efforts were being made to secure new sponsors for the national teams before the expiration of the April 30 grace period.

Adama said the period could be further extended but noted that it was important that the national teams had sponsors for their kits to enable the NFF save costs.

He said: “At this point in time, it is no longer an issue because the national teams participate in tournaments in Nigerian colours and they appear neat.

“Nobody has challenged them on what they wear.

“It only becomes an issue when we are preparing for a tournament and we don’t have jerseys for the teams.

“At this point, it becomes worrisome.

“We have done all that is humanly possible to ensure that the teams are still wearing jerseys.

“Adidas still allows us to wear their jersey until we get a new partner.”

Adama said the NFF would remain focused in its drive toward securing new sponsor for the teams.

NAN reports that Adidas has been kitting the national teams for over a decade now before the expiration of its latest deal in December 2014.

The expired sponsorship deal was entered into in 2011 following the expiration of a similar deal in 2010.

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