Delta State Government has named the Asaba township Stadium after coach Stephen Keshi as well as doled out mouth-watering monetary rewards on the victorious Super Eagles for their gallant achievement at the just concluded African Cup of Nations football tournament in South Africa.
The State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who announced the rewards at a reception/banquet in honour of the national team, at Asaba, said that the gesture was in recognition of the feat recorded by the team and the joy brought to Nigerians by it.
The team coach, Stephen Keshi was rewarded with the re-naming of Asaba Township Stadium after him in addition to eight million naira cash gift, a plot of land in Asaba with a pledge to assist to build aduplex on the land.
The four assistant coaches got four million naira each, while each player was given two and half million naira each. In addition, each past and present player in the winning team received two and a half million naira with players of Delta State origin getting extra two and a half million naira.
The Super Eagles Supporters Club received three million naira while the State-funded Warri Wolves Football Club got five million naira.
Governor Uduaghan disclosed that the on-going contract for the reconstruction of the Asaba stadium has been revoked and that the state will complete the job in six months time to enable it be put to good use.
According to him, the Super Eagles victory was a significant spiritual re-awakening in the life of the country and the beginning of positive things to come just in football but also in the nation's quest for unity.
The governor explained that the state's investments in sports was yielding positive dividends manifesting in its number one position in sports as well as meaningfully engaging the youths some of which have made it to the Super Eagles team and other sports.
He lauded the Illah Community in Oshimili South local government area of the state, for producing great football talents like Stephen Keshi, Mr Ofuokwo, Chief John Oganwu and renowned sports administrator, Chief John Ojudoh , promising to take measures that would harness the talents and skills of youths in Illah. Besides, the governor charged youths in the state to key into the state government's Human Capital Development agenda and the various youth empowerment programmes as the state government was poised to positively channel their skills into useful ventures and to reward achievers in all fields.
In his remarks, Keshi commended Dr Uduaghan for his kind gesture in rewarding the team and renaming the Asaba Township Stadium after him.
He promised that the team would continuously work hard to win more laurels for the nation and appealed for more support from Nigerians. Earlier, Chief John Oganwu, a member of the 1972 Green Eagles commended Dr Uduaghan for his contributions to the growth of sports in Nigeria and his recognition of past football heroes.
He charged sports authorities in the country to recognise local content in sports development and support local coaches to excel in their assignments. Chief Oganwu asked sports authorities to emulate the Delta State sports template in order to ensure growth in sports development.
He also commended the infrastructural development in the state especially the Asaba International Airport which he described as a world class project and urged Dr Uduaghan to keep up the good work and leave lasting legacies in the state.
Via: Delta State Government - Official Press Release