By Adebayo Abubakar
The Nigeria’s Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu-Ejidike (JP) has congratulated coach Aliyu Zubair on his appointment as the new coach of the National men’s Under-20 team – the Flying Eagles.
This was contained in a press release signed by the chairman, Office of the Nigeria Pillar of Sports (ONPS), Prince Ajide Olayioye, and made available to news men on Thursday.
Ejidike describes the appointment of coach Zubair by the Nigerians Football Federation (NFF), as a square peg in a square hole. He added that, “the appointment is not unconnected with the demonstrated technical competence of the coach, as reflected in his track records of achievements in youths development”.
Two of the most recent among his outstanding achievements were, leading the El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club of Maiduguri to promotion from the Nigerian Nationwide League (NNL) to the elite division of the Nigerian club football, the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), as well as winning the President’s Federation Cup (formerly known as the Challenge Cup).
These, he achieved with a team dominated by players who are relatively young with burgeoning careers that require nurturing.
Ejidike, therefore, calls on the coach to see the new appointment as a call for more hard work, as the future of the senior national team – the Super Eagles, depends on the products of his efforts to sustain the leadership status of Nigeria among the comity of footballing nations, not only in Africa, but also globally.
In the same vein, chief Ejidike has also congratulated the African number one para-Badminton player, Nigeria’s Eniola Mariam Bolaji, on her feat – winning bronze medal at the ongoing Paris 2024 Paralympic games.
Bolaji defeated Kozyna Oksana of Ukraine 21-9, 21-9 in the bronze medal match in the women’s Singles SL3 category, on Monday morning, thus becoming the first Nigerian, and African to win a medal in the history of games. Coincidentally, that is still the only medal so far for the Nigerian contingent at the games.
The former Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN) president, while congratulation Bolaji, the reminded her that having come this far, she should know that she’s got what it takes to go all the way, and win the ultimate prize the next time.
The Anambra State-born Sports philanthropist said he’s particularly proud of the Kwara-born athlete, considering the hurdles she has had to scale to get to this level, adding that her story, her career trajectory, is an inspiration to so many other players and individuals out there.
Ejidike therefore urges all Nigerians to celebrate this rare gem of a player, as a token of support to her industry that has continued to bring honours and fame to Nigeria and Africa in general, in the world of Badminton.
