1st June, 2010
Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited, a member of the Stallion Automotive Group has organised a road show aimed at providing the opportunity for Nigerians to send good wishes to the Super Eagles ahead of the 2010 World Cup coming up in few weeks time.
A motorcade which had the biggest football in history moved from the company’s office at Adeola Odeku in Victoria Island, through Third Mainland Bridge, to Government House, Alausa where officials of Lagos State government sent their wishes by signing on the big ball.
In a convoy of about 30 vehicles, the motorcade travelled back from Alausa through Ikorodu Road and made a brief stopover at the National Stadium where football lovers and fans sent their words of encouragement to the Super Eagles by writing their wishes on the Hyundai ball. The giant ball was later moved to the Silver Bird Galleria, where it would be stationed for some time to allow more people send their good wishes to the Eagles.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Karthik Nayak said the event is line with their parent company’s sponsorship of the 2010 World Cup, adding that the big ball will be sent to South Africa to ginger up the players. He expressed hope that the Super Eagles would make Nigerians proud at the coming World Cup, the first ever world cup on the African soil.
“In the run-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup gigantic four-meter high footballs will ignite the hopes and passion of football fans. A total of 32 ‘Goodwill Balls’, one for each of the 32 qualifying countries will embark on national tours to collect the best wishes of the football fans for their national team. Exclusive to Hyundai, the “Goodwill Ball Road show†has become a signature event for the company since its inauguration at EURO 2000. Popular with the fans, the balls have been gathering momentum at the 2002 Korea/Japan and 2006 Germany World Cup and EURO 2008.â€
—Daniels Ekugo
