President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday unveiled the President’s Cup, a football trophy initiated by some ex-international and football stakeholders to promote youth soccer development.
The President praised the ex-international players for put the nation’s name on the world’s map during their playing days, saying victory in sports does not recognise religion, ethnicity nor tribe, adding that it’s all one Nigeria.
He told the delegation led by former national team captain, Kanu Nwankwo, the ex-players and football officials at the the State House, Abuja before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting that the initiative was very thoughtful champion especially by those who brought pride and glory to Nigeria, to want to mould the young ones that could take their place in football.
Jonathan who was later inducted as the Grand Patron of the President’s Cup, noted that football was one unifying factor among Nigerians and pledged that his administration would partner with the stakeholders and fully support the initiative.
According to him: “We remember how you put Nigeria’s name on footballing nations, you brought glory and pride to our nation. We are happy with you and of course these efforts to come up with a template, a plateform that you will use to build the younger ones so that you can groom them, you serving as their role models so that they would take after you and also take our country to a higher level is quite commendable.
“So on behalf of the government of the country we thank you for your sincere commitment to continue to drive soccer, to project football in our country, so that we will continue to be on top.
“One thing that all Nigerians know that brought unity to this country is the game of soccer. Whenever you people are playing, those of us who watch do not know the difference between a Moslem or a Christian, we don’t know the difference between a northerner and a southerner or an easterner or a westerner. We also see ourselves as Nigerians and that is the story. You have done very well for this country, we believe the younger ones will emulate you and also do what you have done.
“For today, I thank you for this, as I formally unveil the President’s Cup and of course the customized football for the purpose”, he said.
The Minister of Sports, Tammy Dagogo, who accompanied the ex-internationals, described the President Cup as a private sector contribution to football development, and which hunts for teenage football talents through tournaments to nurture them for national teams and other clubs.
Among the former players and officials in the delegation were Kanu Nwankwo, Peter Rufai, Taribo West, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Austin Eguaveon, Shuabu Amodu, James Peters, Kadiri Ikhana, Manu Garba, Patrick Pascal, Anthony Chinasa and Kashimawo Laloko.
There were also Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye; President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick; Darlington Anyanwau; Musa Uja; Auwalu Shekarau, Ike Neliaku; as well the Directors-General of Nigeria Television Authority, Shola Omole; and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Ladan Salihu.
