By Albert Akota
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri has applauded retired athletes for contributing to the development of sports at grassroots level. He gave the commendation yesterday when he received members of the Organizing Committee of the maiden President’s Cup headed by former Super Eagles captain, Ambassador Kanu Nwankwo, who however was out of the country for national assignment.
Ex-international, Folorunso Okenla, Tijani Babangida and Patrick Pascal are all members of the committee. Omeri expressed satisfaction with the committee, saying the idea of President Cup in line with President Goodluck Jonathan believes in providing opportunities for youths to put in their best. He assured the committee of his agency support, saying staff of the NOA will be highly mobilise to partner and participate in the competition.
“I am highly proud that this committee is made up of prominent nigerians who have contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria in the field of sports. “It is an opportunities to realise the dream of Mr President. The president was very clear when he came in and made to us to know that we should come up with programmes and ideas that will challenge Nigerian youth to put in their best.
“Our highly mobilise staff will partner with and participate
to do the right thing, give the youths of Nigeria a sporting chance in line with our vision,” he stated. The team led by the Executive Vice Chairman of the committee, Darlington Anyanwu also performed an investiture in honoured of the NOA director general as ambassador of the cup which is expected to kickoff in all 774 local government areas in October. Anyanwu in his address said the idea was meant to uncover footballers of ages 16- 19 years who have not had the privilege to participate in any NFF, CAF and FIFA organized competition and would serve as a reservoir for the national teams.
President Goodluck Jonathan he said would soon be decorated today as grand patron of the cup which is to be competed for annually and domiciled in the presidency. Funding for the cup is from the private sector, he stated.
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