In a bid to boost the morale of the Under-23 Flying Eagles (Dream Team), the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, paid a historic visit to the team where they are camped in the nation’s capital.
While addressing the team Mr. Dare reminded the Dream Team that as they prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, millions of sports-loving Nigerians are supporting them, adding that the players should prove themselves as true ambassadors and talented soccer players who will bring glory to the country. He also urged the players to represent Nigeria well in their qualifying matches with Egypt and Kenya.
In a similar vein, the Minister described the domestic league as critical, particularly for the footballers, because it is the place where talents could be discovered and nurtured for professional football and the national team.
“We are working together with the NFF, club owners and the state government, we are working together to see what kind of re-engineering and new efforts we can bring to strengthen our league and make it more attractive”.
He told the media at the campground that the Ministry is working with the major stakeholders to see how the content of the domestic league can be brought to television. ‘’The Ministry is doing a whole lot of work in the engine room we don’t want it to play out in the media so that we are not distracted,” he explained.
In his welcome remarks, Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed Sanusi of the Nigeria Football Federation thanked the Minister for finding time to visit the team and boost the players’ morale, adding that the innovations brought to sports by the Minister are appreciated by the footballers and all sports-loving Nigerians.
Mr. Dare thanked the Coach and other handlers for their hard work and for bringing the players this far. He said the Ministry will give the necessary support wherever needed.
Olatunji John
Information Officer
For: Director Press
