Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State and Golden Eaglets’ foremost supporter has formally welcomed the Under-17 National Team to Calabar, asking the lads to build on the success recorded by the class of 2013.
The state’s Commissioner for Sport and Youth Development, Patrick Ugbe, spoke on behalf of the Governor who was away in Brazil as part of Federal Government’s delegation to the opening day of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
“We are delighted to have you back here in Calabar and I’m here on behalf of His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke who is in Brazil with the Super Eagles,” said Ugbe who actually defied the rain to watch the team’s training on Saturday at the Hope Waddell Training Institute.
“If you look back at last year and year before, the last team camped and played all their matches here and eventually, they won the 2013 World Cup.”
He urged the new team to emulate their illustrious predecessor by first ensuring qualification for the CAN Under-17 Championship in Niger before aspiring to be world champions; charging the players to cultivate the right attitude as well as pledging continuous government’s support and traditional hospitality of Cross-Riverians to ensure the team’s successful campaign.
“You are a new team and as usual, we welcome you with open hands and we hope you would find the environment conducive,” he continued.”We hope you will take your training seriously and listen to your coaches because by so doing so that you would be able to demonstrate what they are teaching you.”
Golden Eaglets’ Head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, thanked the commissioner for the visit despite the inclement weather even as he solicited for the state’s sustained support.
“The experience we had the last time was marvelous and we are building upon that experience,” said Amuneke.” We would remain disciplined and continue to work hard; and by the grace of God, we shall come out victorious.”
