The First Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chief Mike Umeh and the Golden Eaglets chief coach, Garba Manu are full of praises for the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke as an exceptional father-figure following his tacit approval for the Golden Eaglets’ camping in the idyllic Calabar Municipality yet again.
The Canaan City as Calabar is fondly called, is the adopted home of the Golden Eaglets since 2011 where they grinded impressive run of results including three home wins against Niger, Guinea and Mali on their way to finishing as runners-up at the last CAN Under-17 Championship in Morocco.
It is as a result of this as well as implementation of the avowed Cross River State Sports Development policy, that the amiable Governor Imoke on Thursday sanctioned a two-month camping for the Nigerian Under-17 National Team ahead of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the UAE. He told a delegation led by NFF 1st Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh that he has utmost confidence in the capability of the team to go all the way at the World Cup in October much to the delight of everyone.
“Governor is an extremely wonderful person,” Chief Umeh said again on Friday. “We at the NFF appreciated his generous support to the programmes of the NFF particularly the hosting of Super Eagles matches and the camping of our dear Golden Eaglets time and again.”
Also, speaking on the development, Manu said Senator Imoke’s magnanimity to the Golden Eaglets is second to none, praying that God grant him good health and many more fruitful years on earth after his recent 52nd birthday anniversary.
“There is no doubt that Senator Imoke is a leading light amongst all the Executive Governors in Nigeria for his consistent support towards the development of Nigerian football in general and success of the Golden Eaglets in particular,” Manu said on the fringe of the Golden Eaglets screening in Abuja. “We know that the Governor want nothing else than success of this team and his support overtime, has galvanized us to go the extra mile.
“Of course, we are not going to disappoint him at the World Cup and we want to thank him again for granting us the opportunity to prepare in Calabar again which has become our second homes,” he added.
