The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare today played host to the victorious Nigerian Under 17 Team, Super Flamingos, for their successful outing at the just concluded Under 17 World Cup in India, describing them as Great Ambassadors, having clinched the Bronze medal at the competition.
At the reception ceremony which held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja, the Minister commended the team for their exploits and display of skills which earned the country the third place, the first in history after ten years. “You have set a golden drum and the country is extremely happy with your exploits and display of skills which is the first of its kind in recent time.”
The Minister who commended the Management of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the Team’s Technical crew for their commitment which led to the success recorded at the games, assured further that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration will continue to create an enabling environment for the development of sports in Nigeria so as to provide the youth with opportunities to showcase their sporting talents in order to compete favourably with their counterparts across the globe.
Earlier in his remarks, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, called on the Officials and the Team to remain focused and never allow any form of distraction to make them derail from the positive path they were threading on.
According to him, “the Team’s success story was not just borne out of the skills of the players but also because of the blend of a good coaching crew and understanding among them.
Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Musa Gusau extolled the victorious team whom he described as young, vibrant, promising and energetic, for picking a bronze medal at the global competition.
“It is the first attempt by the girls in football and a good starting point for their career progression in the game,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the Team, the Captain, Dazuzu Alvin attributed their victory to the excellent relationship that existed between the technical crew and the players, coupled with the unflinching support of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), the Minister, Top Management staff and President Muhammadu Buhari, in particular.
Signed
Mohammed Manga
Director, Press & Public Relations
