By Ikenna Okonkwo
Abuja
As reactions continue to trickle in ahead of this year’s World Cup, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President, Comrade Jude Imagwe has charged Super Eagles to go all out and do the country proud by focusing on lifting the trophy.
Comrade Imagwe who was speaking when he received members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) FCT Chapter in Abuja noted that with dedication, prayer and support of all Nigerians, the Super Eagles will do well in Brazil.
According to the President’s Aide “every government wants to be tied to winning always and winning this year’s world cup will be memorable to the history of Nigeria. At all times, I have never doubted the capacity of Coach Stephen Keshi-led Super Eagles to do us proud in Brazil.
“While we wish them well and pray for them before and when the world cup starts, they should be aware that they are representing over 170 million Nigerians in every match they play and so they need to show patriotism.
“The result that we are harvesting as long as sports is concerned in Nigeria is due to calculated steps taken by the President who convened a sports summit. Today, we can boast of Nations cup which eluded us for decades, U-17 World Cup, qualification for World Cup and many other successes recorded in recent times. Don’t forget that some persons in their usual manner criticized the president’s initiative to organize a sports summit.
On the plans for the forthcoming international Youth Day, the SSA stated “We are looking at hosting a football tournament across the six geo-political zones of the country for youths at the grassroots and students in the four NANS zones. Is going to take a different dimension other than what is obtainable in the past.
“During the competition, our brothers in the north will have to play with our brothers in the south when and where they meet to exhibit friendliness and promote peace and unity among ourselves.”
Earlier, FCT SWAN Chairman, Kayode Adeniyi implored the office of the SSA to always come up with programmes that would engage the youths in viable sporting activities.
