Reward The Eaglets

The Head of the Sports Council, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, (UNEC) Barrister (Mrs) Ndidi Ejimofo, has called on the Federal Government to reward the Eaglets for their brilliant performance and display of patriotism during the recently concluded FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria.

Ejimofo who made the call shortly after UNEC Lions Football Club training at the UNEC stadium Wednesday, argued that although, the team failed to beat their Switzerland counterparts in their finals “due to ill-luck,” the Nigerian flag bearers needed to be encouraged in the true spirit of good sportsmanship.

According to her, if the Eaglets are appreciated, it would not only serve as an inspiration to future players but could be the tonic and boost the Super Eagles would require as they face the challenges of the 2010 African Cup of Nations, January in Angola and the 2010 World Cup to be hosted by South Africa.

Barrister Ejimofo, however, praised the federal government for promoting the highly enthusiastic and determined Golden Eaglets coach, John Obuh to the U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, stressing that the elevation would provide the former Enyimba play maker the opportunity to retain the bulk of his U-17 players.

The sports manager said that apart from cash rewards, the nation could get the best from those talented players by giving them scholarship while those who are not University materials could be sent to skills development centres in parts of the country.

It would be recalled that in her recent radio personality programme, ‘Sports Now’, Mrs. Ejimofo had canvassed for the establishment of sports academies in all the six geopolitical zones of the country to train young men and women in all sports, stating that admission should be by competition like JAMB.