Tinubu signals new dawn for Super Eagles -Alalade
Super Eagles’ journey to a record fourth Africa Cup of Nations title chase in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire has been tacitly bolstered in an unprecedented presidential “carte blanche” issued by President Bola Tinubu, according to the chairman Karamba Football Club, Ada Land, Osun State, Chief Olusegun Alalade.
Alalade, a financial expert and legal practitioner, commended President Tinubu and the Minister of Sports, John Enor for their deliberate and conscious efforts to set a new path of rekindled glory and hope for Super Eagles with the timely approval of funds ahead of the AFCON. Chief Alalade said the timely release of funds to the team has proven a new dawn for Nigeria in sports development by President Tinubu’s administration. The President, last week announced the release of N12billion to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to enable it offset all outstanding debts owed the team as well as cover allowances including medical, travel and accommodation expenses for this year’s AFCON Championship.
“As a club owner and sports administrator who has been following our preparations and participation by the Super Eagles in the Africa Nations Cup, the timely release of funds for AFCON finals reassures sport lovers that President Tinubu has a genuine heart and passion for the youth and sports development. I could say with confidence and pride, this is the beginning of a new dream, vision and rekindled hope for our youths,” Alalade said.
Alalade summed up President Tinubu’s lofty gesture as a bold step and a testament of transformative leadership towards boosting sports development as a veritable strategic unifying factor.
The Karamba FC boss also urged President Bola Tinubu to proactively engage football club owners and sport philanthropists with the aim of giving them a new lease of life through special financial and dedicated support at the grassroots level as they are currently in the throes of painful but necessary economic reforms.
“I would like to urge the president through the Minister of Sports that the collective efforts and philanthropic gestures of club owners to groom and mobilise local players for national assignments should be given prime focus and priority budget allocation in line with President Tinubu’s welfarist disposition.
“I wish to state that the enormous burden of grooming local players to feed the national team goes beyond the labour movement especially among the people in our various communities. Some of the reasons for seeking the support and intervention of the Federal Government include the cost of living effects or consequences of economic effects on the club owners in preparing players for national league competitions, training, facility management and technical equipment to groom young talents in realizing their potential to represent Nigeria,” Alalade concluded.
