By Michael Eyibio
The Federal Government has appointed former Super Eagles forward, Odion Ighalo, as National Principal Cup Ambassador.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare who disclosed this today at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja, when Ighalo paid him a courtesy visit, said Ighalo is being flagged as one of the National Principal Cup Ambassador to serve as a role model for the average Nigerian youth, both in their personal and sporting lives.
According to him, ‘the National Principal Cup used to be the engine room that supplied players to the country in the past, it was abandoned for the past 25 years, and we are trying to rev it up to start working again, hoping that it will provide more players for the nation”. He added that the Principal Cup, which involves 27, 000 secondary schools across the nation, is the heart of sports development.
“To give it life therefore, we are partnering with private companies and flagship Ambassadors. We are flagging you as one of the National Principal Cup Ambassador’, Mr. Dare said.
The Minister who expressed optimism that the Moshood Abiola Staduim would soon bounce back for public use said that Ighalo’s visit to his office at the Stadium was very significant and it will further afford him the opportunity of joining his entourage to the inspection tour of the stadium.
“Today’s visit is significant and this meeting in Moshood Abiola Stadium is deliberate, as we want to make a statement that the main bowl is coming back, the work done in there is tremendous. The stadium is functional and open to all as it is for the Nigerian publics. I am happy to receive you today coming closely after a week we received Mikel Obi in Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos” he said.
Mr. Dare stated further that, the Ministry would continue to partner with Football Stars with a view to encouraging the teeming Nigerian Youth in sports development.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Ministry’s Director of Federation, Elite and Athletes Department (FEAD), Dr. Simon Ebhojiaye, said that it is a unique opportunity to have the international player pay a courtesy call on the Ministry and to join the Minister in the inspection of the Stadium.
He said that the appointment of Ighalo as National Principal Cup ambassador will not only serve as motivation to the Nigerian Youth but will also make a positive impact on Sports development in the country.
In his response, Ighalo thanked the President Buhari Mohammed led- Administration and the Ministry in particular, for the efforts put in place in ensuring youth and sports development in the country.
He assured that he will continue to partner with the Ministry in the area of sports to ensure more successes in the field.