Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state has promised state-owned Nasarawa United Football Club a personal reward of $1000 should they win Sunday’s 2021 Aiteo Cup Finals.
Gov. Sule also revealed that he had been praying fervently for the team to win the match scheduled to take place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City, Edo state.
Sule, represented by his deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, made this known at a meeting with the players and officials at their hotel in Benin city, while applauding the team for reaching the finals of the competition.
“I am praying for victory and I have every confidence that victory is ours today. We shall carry this cup to Lafia today. I am solidly behind you and assure you that I am a man who rewards results and excellence,” he said.
He said that despite the state’s lean resources, he would continue to give the state-owned teams his maximum support and urged the Nasarawa United FC and the Nasarawa Amazons, to reciprocate the support by bringing success and laurels to the state.
In his remark, Mr Othman Bala-Adam, Nasarawa state Commissioner of Youth and Sports, appreciated the governor and his deputy for their words of encouragement and pledges which, he said, were aimed at spurring the team to victory.
He said with the sterling performance of the team in the just concluded 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season, they were assured of victory.
“We have changed the narrative on football in Nigeria and today is the consolidation of the change. I assure you, your Excellency, we will come out victorious,” he said.
In a vote of thanks, Victor Okoro, Assistant Captain of the team, thanked the governor for the sustained support to the team since the beginning of the 2020/2021 football season and assured him of their determination to win and pick a continental ticket for the upcoming season.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2021 Aiteo Cup final would be decided between Nasarawa United FC and Bayelsa United FC at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City by 6pm. (NAN)
