The coach appeals to Cross River to fulfill its commitment to the 2013 Golden Eaglets
Manu Garba, the former coach of the national cadet football team, has appealed to Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu and Sports Minister John Owan Enoh for their intervention in securing the house gifts promised to the players and officials of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning team by former governor Liyel Imoke.
A decade has passed since Imoke, during a reception inside the state's council chamber in Calabar on November 15, 2013, pledged house gifts to the 21 players and 10 officials of the victorious team for their commendable performance at the United Arab Emirates-hosted event.
Addressing the players and officials, Imoke stated, "We want to make an investment with you in property," in the presence of the then Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Bolaji Abdulahi, and dignitaries from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), led by the then President, Aminu Maigari.
He further elaborated, saying, "We have a new housing estate already being developed, and at the completion of those estates, each one of you will have a small piece of property that is your own and that would have been fully developed; that you can rent out or occupy."
Despite these assurances, Garba expressed astonishment that the commitment made by Imoke on behalf of the government and people of Cross River State in 2013 is yet to be fulfilled.
"Senator Liyel Imoke's announcement at the Government House in Calabar when he hosted us for winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2013 was undoubtedly exciting. However, here we are in 2023, a decade after the promise, and we are still awaiting the houses as pledged," expressed Garba. He noted that efforts made during the tenure of Imoke's successor, Prof. Ben Ayade, did not yield the promised results.
"The FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning team of 2013 was closely associated with Cross River State as we were camped at the Princeville Hotel in Calabar for many months, playing all our qualifying matches there. Regrettably, despite attempts to redeem the pledge during Ayade's tenure, we are yet to receive the promised houses," Garba lamented.
Seeking resolution, he appealed to the new Governor, Bassey Otu, to utilize his position and fulfill the commitment made by Senator Imoke on behalf of the state government. Additionally, Garba called for the intervention of Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, who hails from Cross River State, to ensure justice for the team.
Highlighting the prolonged wait, Garba emphasized the significance of honoring the commitment, especially in memory of Muhammed Kafa, the dedicated equipment manager who passed away this year. He stressed that receiving the houses would be a fitting tribute and acknowledgment that their efforts in winning the World Cup in 2013 were not in vain.
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