The federal government approval for payment of N12 billion backlog of outstandings for the national teams and coaches of various sports would spur the Super Eagles to do well at AFCON, Minister for Sports Development, Senator John Owan-Enoh has said.
The Minister, who said this in Ikom, central Cross River during a thanksgiving service in his honour, noted that no president of the country had ever shown such level of commitment to sports development.
“The senior team national coach has not been paid for 15 months. The senior national team and other national teams; females under 20 had a backlog of unpaid allowances, unpaid promises, and all of that piling up close to about N12 billion. The president has approved all of that payment.
“There’s no better way to show support and leadership than what he has done. I believe this should spur up our sports men and women, including the Super Eagles.
“President Tinubu is committed to returning joy and happiness to Nigerian homes because when we win our matches and ultimately the AFCON trophy, there’ll be happiness spread across the land,” he stated, and challenged the senior national team to do well, saying the whole country was praying for their success.
He noted that the sports sector in the country has been seen as very controversial and “every step you take is controversial,” but to the glory of God, I’m able to navigate through that and we are not in any controversy. We are committed to making a mark in sports development.”
