The Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Tammy Danagogo, yesterday said that the target set for the Super Eagles at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was a minimum of semi-final or the title.
Danagogo made the assertion in Abuja when he was decorated by the Nigeria Supporters Club as one of its patrons.
The minister said he was misquoted in some sections of the media that the semi-final stage was the target set for the Super Eagles.
“I have been misquoted in some sections of the media that the target for the Super Eagles is semi-finals, but that is the minimum target.
“Our minimum target is semi-final or bring back the cup,’’ Danagogo said.
He urged the Nigeria Supporters Club to give the team the needed support to succeed.
“You have to galvanise and mobilise your members to support the Super Eagles to achieve this feat and we are really counting on you.
“We at the NSC have seen the commitment, love and dedication of the Nigerian Supporters Club and we appreciate you for that.
“This is because sports are a unifying factor that boosts the image of this country, so, we want you to continue with that spirit and to also redouble your zeal,’’ he said.
Danagogo told club officials that the N50 million that President Goodluck Jonathan promised the club would be given to the club next week.
“Ever since I assumed office, I have seen the commitment and dedication of the President to sports and this is manifested in the N50 million he promised to your club.
“Right now, the processing of the money is ongoing.
“If you do not get the money before the end of this week because of the holiday in Abuja, you will get it latest by next week,’’ the minister said.
Earlier, the President-General of the Nigeria Supporters Club, Rafiu Ladipo, said it was necessary to decorate the minister as a patron before the World Cup begins in June.
Ladipo said the minister needed to be decorated as one of the club’s patron because President Jonathan had decorated as the Grand Patron.
“This is because as the Grand Patron, he might not be physically present with us at the World Cup, but we are hopeful that the minister will be with us in person over there.
“And he will give us the support we need,’’ Ladipo said.
The former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, was also decorated as a patron of the FCT Chapter of the club.
Also, the NSC Director-General, Gbenga Elegbeleye, was presented a medal of merit for fostering good relationship between the club and the NSC.
The Super Eagles are in Group F at the Mundial scheduled for June 12 to July 13. They have been grouped alongside Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran.
