TheCable

Sunday Dare, minister of youth and sports development, has congratulated Flamingos, Nigeria’s U-17 women’s football team, for qualifying for the semifinals of the ongoing World Cup in India.

Nigeria beat the USA — one of the tournament’s favourites — 4-3 on penalties after playing to a 1-1 draw at full-time to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time ever.

“I salute your courage and tenacity as you have made history and done the nation proud. I want to challenge you not to rest on your oars. The trophy is in sight. Believe in yourself as it is possible,” Dare said.

The sports minister received the excellence in public service award from President Muhammadu Buhari at the state house in Abuja.

The award was in recognition of his contributions and commitment to the growth and development of sports in the country, especially in infrastructure development.

The minister, who dedicated the award to his team, said: “Without my team’s hard work and commitment to this cause, this award would not happen. It is a call for us to do more.”

The minister has called on the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the National Professional Football League (NPFL) to resuscitate the league and bring it to its past glory.

While receiving the IMC team in his Abuja office on Friday, the minister, said: “Our professional league which used to be our pride in this country, is sick today and has become a caricature of its old self which needs urgent attention.”