Cross River Deputy Governor Calls For NFF Rebranding
San Francisco, Sept 06, (THEWILL) - Cross River State Deputy Governor, Mr. Efiok Cobham has called for rebranding of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) in an effort to reposition football in Nigeria.
Mr. Cobham who gave the charge during a dinner organized by the State Government in honour of the super Eagle Team and their officials in Calabar, said that following the poor performance of the team at the just concluded 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, it is imperative to rebrand the team and its governing body which will in turn build a formidable team that can challenge any team in the world, and charged all Stakeholders to evolve new strategies that will reposition the Senior team to do better in their future encounters.
The Deputy Governor who also made a cash donation of the sum of Ten Million naira to the team on behalf of the State Government to boost their moral as they prepare for their second leg encounter in a fortnight in Madagascar, maintained that the choice of Calabar for their first qualifying match will give them a leverage to win more matches as they proceed giving the historical antecedent of football in the country which he noted was first played in the state in 1909.
Earlier, the President, Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji, Aminu Mangari represented by Mr. Chris Green expressed gratitude to the State Government for the display of hospitality during their stay and promised the Federation’s determination to move Nigerian football to an enviable height.
On his part, the State Commission for Sport and Youth Development, Mr. Raymond Obeten said the event was organized to appreciate the team for the fantastic performance they put up on the field to encourage them in their future encounters.
Responding, the Super Eagle’s Acting Coach, Mr. Augustine Eguavoen thanked the State Government for the handsome reward to the team and for being a good host and promised to put up their very best as they proceed in the qualifying series encounter, while appreciating all who came out to support the team and cheer them to victory.