ADEBOYE PREDICTS BRIGHTER DAYS FOR NIGERIAN SPORTS

Pastor E.A Adeboye
The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A Adeboye, has predicted better days for sports in the country.

Adeboye, who was speaking at the special thanksgiving/prayer service for Nigerian sports held at the headquarters of the church on Redemption Way, Ebute Meta, Lagos, relived the good old days when Nigeria was first among equals in the comity of sporting nations but rued her steady decline in the past few years.

'Once upon a time, Nigeria was a leading nation in sports, I remember a time when we used to have world boxing champions from this country, when we had one of the best footballers in the world; in the person of Thunder Balogun. But now, our team which was originally called Super Eagles is now being called Super Chickens by some people. I know if we cry unto God to intervene, things will change for the better and the glory of the country will be restored,' he said.

Present at the event, which was first of its kind, were former internationals, Segun Odegbami, Peter Rufai, Gideon Njoku, Lagos State Football Association Chairman, Taiwo Afinnih, alongside former national tennis coach, Babatunde Obisanya, among others.

Tayo Oreweme, the Liaison Officer for the National Sports Commission in Lagos, represented the Sports Minister, Ibrahim Bio, who was originally scheduled to attend the event. Oreweme commended the initiators of the programme, while stating that Bio was pleased that the church was showing some concern for sporting matters in the country.

Also speaking at the event, Odegbami said that given the dire straits Nigerian sports finds itself, divine intervention was clearly needed, noting that the decision by the RCCG to pray for Nigerian sports meant that breakthrough is around the corner.