In order to make world champions of World Cup bronze medallists, Flamingos given their innate talent and skills and demonstrated ability, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development will provide maximum support and encouragement to the Nigeria Football Federation as the players graduate from one level to another.
This pledge was contained in the remarks of the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Sunday Dare as he hosted the bronze medallists of the recently-concluded 7th FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals, Flamingos of Nigeria at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Tuesday.
“We commend you for the way you performed without fear and held up the flag to win a historic bronze for our country in this competition. I praise the NFF for the support to the team right from their screening through the qualifiers and to the arrangements for final camping in Turkey and the final tournament in India. We must also commend the coaching crew for their steadfastness in imparting the right knowledge to the players.
“I will be happy to see these players graduate from this level to the U20 and then to the senior team, because they have the skills and talent, and demonstrated ability to do very well. The Ministry will give NFF the right support to achieve that. They have served well as good ambassadors of our country on and off the pitch.”
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Earlier, President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau had introduced the team to the Minister, recalling the team’s exploits during the qualifying campaign and at the final competition in India, describing the players as “young, energetic, vibrant, positive and promising.”
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, hailed the team for “performing so wonderfully well” to make Nigeria proud, and observed that its success was attributable to synergy and telepathy, which should be credited to the coaching crew.
Captain of the team, Alvine Dah-Zossu expressed appreciation to the Ministry and the NFF, and thanked Nigerians from all walks of life who prayed for and wished the team well in India.
Also at the occasion were Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu (NFF 1st Vice President); Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (General Secretary); Mr. Timothy Henman (NFF Board Member); Dr. Simon Ebhojiaye (Director, FEADS); Engineer Olatunji Okedairo (Director, Facilities); Alhaji Musa Jafaar (Director, Human Resources); Mr. Segun Oke (Director of Procurement); Chairmen of the Football Associations of Gombe and Kwara States and; Ms Mary Onyali (SA to the Hon. Minister).
Earlier, on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the players and their officials were received by Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu (NFF 1st Vice President), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (General Secretary); Ademola Olajire (Director of Communications); Barnabas Joro (Head of Protocol); Dayo Enebi Achor (Head of International); Toyin Ibitoye (Special Assistant to the Hon. Minister) and; Emmanuel Ayanbunmi (Chief Protocol Officer).
Chief Anyansi-Agwu gave kudos to the team for their excellent conduct on and off the field of play in India and assured them that the Government and people of Nigeria, as well as the NFF, are proud of their accomplishments.
A dummy cheque of the sum of N3million promised the team by Super Eagles’ captain Ahmed Musa was presented to the players and officials at the airport. Chairman of the NFF Task Force on Youth Competitions, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi promised the team the sum of $10,000.
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COMMENTS
Mr.Dare, avoid shame that always befall our country from this age long attitude of disrespect to signed agreement and pay up this coach.Apportioning blame to NFF or the ministry should be out of the question because the Coach is employed in the name of the country and not in secret.
Save Nigeria name for once
They are shameless and not honorable. They only care about their own pockets.
They have already collected the Coach’s salaries from the National Treasury and spend it on foreign trips, on loose women, or buy homes in London. They believe that salaries meant for national coach is part of their own National cakes.
Mumu, since you have evidence that this funds were misappropriated or you be chief accountant of the NFF, why haven’t you taken them to court, why are you here ranting about it. please no one is ready to listen to your assumptions, carry your evidence go court. Or better off keep shut.
Your illogical points are so weak, it did not deserve my response. However, stop your name callings.
Why you come reply, you senseless maggot. it’s only the gullible once that you can cajole with your nonsense comment. Since you have proof that they misusing the funds abeg come out with your evidence, will you make such libel comments in a foreign country and get away with it. rubbish
Is Dare recommending himself to continue as the Sports Minister after the elections? Is he eyeing the seat of NFF President? Has Dare planned to obtain a coaching certificate and manage the Flamingoes himself? Or Will he sack Olowookere and bring in the fantastic Austin Eguavoen that cost Nigeria a ticket to Qatar? Anything is possible where there’s no shame and decency! The problem with Nigerian football has always been the Ministry of Sports that opportunistically plays politics with the performance of the country’s athletes. Nigeria will continue to underperform so long as unintelligent corrupt people continue to manage its sports.
Philanthropists like Ahmed Musa who wish to donate to winning Nigerian teams may wish to henceforth announce their largesse AFTER and not BEFORE the athletes have been paid their due entitlements by the government.