All African Games: Local talents are the recipe for Nigeria, Sports Minister’s Aide, Daniel declares
By: Aboluwade God’s Treasure (AGT)
It was another exciting super interview edition on the leading WhatsApp groups in Nigeria,*Sports World* as media Aide to the Minister of Sports (Senator Owan Enoh), Mr Kola Daniel occupied the hot seat to give his take on the level of preparedness of Nigerian athletes ahead of the 13th African Games.
Also, the globetrotter and well recognized award winning journalist was quizzed on the inclusion of Local based players from the NPFL into the National team(Super Eagles) for major competitions and he gave his thoughts.
He advocated vehemently for the local based players to be included in Nigeria’s team selections for the nation’s success,while sighting past examples and here were his words:
“Some of the players who have actually done this country proud and done so well for this country are products of the local league. Sunday Mba,who scored in the final, Azubuike Ogechukwu,Chigozie Agbin, Gabriel and co were products of the league.
“I have never undermined the power of the local league and I have never said that a player cannot be given the chance as local talents”.
He also added “There are many players who can play in the Super Eagles(our senior team) that are based in the local leagues,all they need it time and the opportunity,as well as the sense of belonging”
The well read media aide and journalist continued, “We have done it before,if you go back to the 1980 Nations cup we won,bulk of these players were on the home soil, Khadri Ikhana, Segun Odegbami, Best Ogedegbe, Okala, Christian Chukwudi…they were home based players and we won the nation’s cup.
“Look at Algiers ’90,we only lost in the finals and most of them were home based players.
“Yes, I believe in local based players and I feel that many of them can actually do it, if given the chance”. He concluded.
