From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
APPALLED by the paucity of attendance at yesterday’s tribute for the late former head coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi in Asaba, a member of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Amaechi Mrakpor has urged the Federal Government not to kill the spirit of excellence among the younger generation.
Keshi captained the Super Eagles to glory at the African Cup of Nations in Tunisia in 1994 and later won the trophy in South Africa as head coach of the senior national team in 2013, a record that he held with Egyptian legend, Gohary.
Despite this contribution to the development of football in the country, the Federal Government was not represented at yesterday’s tribute ceremony in Asaba.
The situation probably irked Mrs. Mrakpor who in a tribute said the treatment to the supposed national hero would dampen the spirit of excellence among the younger generation.
“We are probably not proud of the country he (Keshi) represented. I just wonder what is going through the minds of the young boys and girls who admired Keshi. I appeal to the those in leadership position not to murder the spirit of excellence in sports, engineering, architecture and other fields of human endeavor in Nigeria,” she fumed.
Present at the tribute ceremony were Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Monday Igbuya, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, members of the state executive council and members of the state House of Assembly.