To discover football talents in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday unveiled the President’s Cup to be competed for by teenagers in the country.
The President unveiled the cup after he was decorated as the Grand Patron of the President’s Cup before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja
The football competition was initiated by some ex-international and football stakeholders to promote youth soccer development in the country.
Jonathan commended the initiative of the ex-internationals, whom he said brought pride and glory to Nigeria.
According to him, football is one of the unifying factors among Nigerians, pledging that his administration would partner with the stakeholders and fully support the initiative.
He said: “We remember how you put Nigerian name on footballing map, your names in soccer, 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 flat form that you will use to build the younger ones so that you can groom them.
“So on behalf of the government of the country we thank you for your sincere commitment in the quest 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 Muslim 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 Nigerian 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.”
The Minister of Sports, Tammy Danagogo, who accompanied the ex-internationals, described the President’s Cup as a private sector contribution to football development which will 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.
