14th February, 2013
JETHRO IBILEKE/Benin
Chief coach of the victorious Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, was Thurday rewarded with a building for his leading the nation’s senior football team to African Nation Cup glory by the government of Delta state.
Governor of Delta stata, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan who disclosed this when players and officials of the national team paid him a courtesy call in Asaba, announced that the state government has allocated a plot of land to Stephen Keshi and also promised to put up a befitting structure for the undisputed Africa’s number one coach of the moment.
The governor while thanking President Goodluck Jonathan for giving Delta state the opportunity to host the victorious Super Eagles, charged sport heroes to give back to the society through mentoring programmes and development of sporting talents of the teeming youths of the country, just as he added that it was also important for the youths to have mentors to enable them channel their talents positively.
“The state government is working out a programme to ensure that our sporting heroes help mentor our younger ones to become great sportsmen.”
The governor enjoined all sporting heroes to key into the programme to enable the state achieve its dream and maintain its top position in sports in the country.
“Sports is one of the key points in the actualisation of the Delta beyond oil policy and the state will continue to support sports to enable the youths utilise their skills.”
While congratulating the team for winning the championship, Dr. Uduaghan commended Stephen Keshi for his resilience and patience in giving his best even when people doubted the ability of the team to deliver.
The governor promised the state government’s continuous support for the team and prayed that the team would continue to excel in all their future competitions.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Coach Stephen Keshi expressed his gratitude to Nigerians for their support throughout the AFCON competition.
While stating that his goal at the championship was to bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians, he promised that his team would continue to improve and ensure that Nigeria takes its pride of place in the African football map.
In his brief remark, the Chairman Delta State Sports Commission Mr Amaju Pinnick informed the gathering that Nigeria now ranked 30th in the recently released FIFA ranking.
He said that the victorious Super Eagles would serve as role models for the younger ones and they represent the mentoring spirit advocated by Governor Uduaghan at the sports summit held in Asaba.