The Flying Eagles team that won the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Chile will be hosted to a special presidential gala on Thursday, January 21.
Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalung, who made the announcement over the weekend revealed that other individual athletes and teams that won laurels for the country in 2015 would also be honoured during the event.
“January 21, 2016 has been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari as a day for the reward of all those who have made us proud in sports”, he announced.
According to the minister, “Federal Government has approved a comprehensive package for all the athletes and this is not limited to only football but to even scrabble, basketball and all other athletes that made the country proud”.
“The recommendation is subject to the approval of the President and since it is a package, it cannot be unveiled until that day,’’ he said, adding that a society without a reward system is not worthy to live in.
Dalung, who commended Nigeria’s sportsmen and women for their feats in the outgone year, noted that their achievements in recent time was an indication that sports development was gradually taking its rightful place in the country.
“Nigeria football and other sports are progressing very well, looking at Nigerians that got awards recently and the result of our outing in recent time. We hope that as we approach the Olympic Games, Nigeria will also put up a wonderful performance,’’ he concluded.
By Olisemeka Obeche