Cross River State - Imoke Approves Camping of the Eaglets in Calabar

[CrossRiverState]

The State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke has approved the final camping of the Golden Eaglets in Calabar, who will train to play the upcoming under17 World Cup in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirate.

Speaking in Calabar recently, while receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Football Federation led by its Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh, Governor Imoke said "the Eaglets were unlucky to lose the final match of the African Championship on penalties (played in Morocco).

The boys, he noted, were good and destined for greatness.

He said, "I believe that from here, we will produce the next under17 Champions of the World. Every time I see the boys, I feel so proud and excited. The Government and the entire good people of Cross River State are in love with the Eaglets".

Speaking earlier, the Vice President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), lauded the Governor Imoke's administration and the good people of Cross River State for all the support given to the Nigerian Football Federation over the years and presented the Governor with a silver medal from the African U-17 Championship.

He maintained that the team was tested and trusted, when it comes to the game of soccer, be it in matches or camping before tournaments, noting that Calabar has always produced great memoirs for sportsmen and women.

He attributed the feat to the tranquil and serene environment, as well as hospitable nature of the people of the State.

This, according to him, aided the growth of the nation's sports and football in particular.

In his remarks the General Manager (Marketing), Cross River State Tourism Bureau, Mr. Charles Omoregha, described the cordial relationship between Cross River State and the Nigerian Football Federation due to synergy existing between them.

He noted that, Calabar that hosted the first football match in Nigeria in 1902, at the Hope Waddel Training Institute, Calabar, in the year 1902, was another factor to believe that the god of football resides in Calabar the State Capital.