Following their historic bronze medal win at the just concluded FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has said the Federal Government will provide maximum support and encouragement to the Nigeria Football Federation to help in the progress of the young girls becoming world champions.
This pledge was contained in the remarks of the minister as he hosted the bronze medallists at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Tuesday.
The Bankole Olooweker’s tutored side defeated European champions Germany 3-2 on penalties after the full-time score ended 3-3.
It’s the biggest achievement by the country at the cadet level of football, having only managed a quarter-final finish since the competition began in 2008.
The team arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday and the minister during his welcome address assured that the NFF will continue to get government supports as the players graduate from one level to another.
“We commend you for the way you performed without fear and held up the flag to win a historic bronze for our country in this competition. I praise the NFF for the support to the team right from their screening through the qualifiers and to the arrangements for final camping in Turkey and the final tournament in India. We must also commend the coaching crew for their steadfastness in imparting the right knowledge to the players.
“I will be happy to see these players graduate from this level to the U20 and then to the senior team, because they have the skills and talent, and demonstrated ability to do very well. The Ministry will give NFF the right support to achieve that. They have served well as good ambassadors of our country on and off the pitch.”
While receiving the team in Abuja, a dummy cheque of the sum of N3m promised to the team by Super Eagles’ captain Ahmed Musa was presented to the players and officials at the airport. Chairman of the NFF Task Force on Youth Competitions, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi promised the team the sum of $10,000.
The Presidency will host the team at a later date.
Credit: punchng.com
