By Stephen Merit
In a bid to encourage and boost the morale of athletes,
coaches and other sports officials for better performance in the sector, the federal government has approved the payment of all their outstanding salaries, allowances and bonuses due for them.
This was revealed by the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, at a reception recently held at Ikom, Cross River State.
The minister noted that the payment of the outstanding salaries, allowances and bonuses amounting to about 12 billion naira includes an outstanding 15 months salary of the Super Eagles’ Coach and some entitlements for other category of athletes.
The gesture, he said, was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to restore the lost glory of especially the Nigeria’s football team, whose success brings joy and happiness to Nigrian homes.
Senator Owan Enoh stated that early in the week, he will be in Lagos to meet the Super Eagles to step up the campaign for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations coming up in a few days ahead. He promised to press it on the team to reciprocate Mr. President’s kind gesture by putting in their best to come out victorious after the AFCON tournament.
The Minister called on all Nigerians, especially stakeholders in the sports industry, to give Mr. President all necessary cooperation that will guarantee the attainment of set goals and objectives within the sports industry.
Senator Owan
Enoh pledged to personally put in the required passion and commitment needed to push the sports industry forward, *I wish to state my commitment to ensuring that i leave the sector better than I met it*, he said.
It could be recalled that in the 80s and early 90s, Nigeria’s Super Eagles and indeed other athletes had made an imprint for Nigeria within the global sporting arena. They brought a lot of glory to Nigeria through their better performance in various Continental and Global tournaments.
This is the glory the administration of President Bola Tinubu is trying hard to reclaim.