Sports
Heads May Roll, As Senate Summons Minister, NFF President Stadium Vandalization
The Senate has summoned Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, over the vandalization of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, by hoodlums on March 29, after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The upper chamber equally invited the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, and other agencies involved in the maintenance of the stadium.
The resolutions were sequel to a Point of Order raised by Sen. Michael Nnachi (PDP-Ebonyi) during Wednesday’s plenary.
The Senate also mandated its Committee on Sports and Youth Development to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the failure of the national team to qualify for the World Cup in spite of the numerous government support.
“Violent reaction by irate fans reportedly took place in the aftermath of Nigeria vs Ghana qualifier leading to vandalization of facilities at the stadium and the unfortunate death of Zambian CAF official, Joseph Kabungo.
“The national stadium was packed with highly expectant Nigerian fans throughout the controversial match and the alleged violent reaction of those fans to the outcome of this match has become a subject of local and international media criticism.
“A lot of valuable facilities at the stadium were destroyed but the extent of the destruction is yet to be determined by the relevant government authority.
“There is no gainsaying that the destruction will cause the government of Nigeria several millions of naira to either replace or effect repairs.
“Apart from several unidentified football fans who were injured as a result of this incident, the death of Dr. Joseph is a huge loss to the global football community,” he said.
Supporting the motion, Sen. Abba Moro (PDP-Benue) said it was a very sad day for Nigeria.
“It is sad that Nigerians vented their anger and frustration on the physical stadium.
“There is an urgent need for this senate, if possible, to intervene to see that our stadia across Nigeria are properly structured and made in such a way that future occurrences or fans invading the pitch or destroying the stadium will be prevented,” he said.
Sports
Senate President Cup Gains Esteemed Ambassadors
Joel Ajayi
The highly-anticipated 10th Senate President Cup has reached a significant milestone with the unveiling of its distinguished ambassadors. Renowned figures in Nigerian football, including the present Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen and esteemed coaches Patrick Udoh, and Daniel Amokachi, along with legendary goalkeeper Peter Rufai and former Super Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa, have been appointed as ambassadors for the prestigious tournament.
In a formal announcement made in Abuja, Tournament Coordinator John Bassey Ekpenyong emphasized the strategic selection of these ambassadors, citing their roots in grassroots football programs as a key factor in their appointment.
Ekpenyong expressed confidence in the ambassadors’ ability to resonate with the tournament’s grassroots ethos, stating, “Their background as products of grassroots initiatives aligns perfectly with the core values of the tournament, and we believe their involvement will significantly enhance its impact.”
The inclusion of these esteemed football personalities is poised to infuse the Senate President Cup with heightened excitement and credibility as it gears up for its scheduled dates from November 10 to 17 in Abuja. With a primary focus on fostering unity and unearthing emerging talents, the tournament is primed to deliver a captivating experience for football enthusiasts across the nation.
It would be recalled that during the Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio’s era as the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, over 200 talents were discovered, nurtured and exported to different leagues across the globe.
The Senate President Cup is poised to deliver an unforgettable spectacle, and with the esteemed ambassadors on board, it is poised to ignite the aspirations of the next generation of Nigerian football talents.
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