The minister has emphasized the need of developing all leagues, since this is where Nigerian football’s future resides.
Sunday Dare, Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports Development, encouraged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to enhance the country’s domestic competitions on Monday.
Mr. Dare made the decision after hosting the Flying Eagles, Nigeria’s U-20 men’s national team, in Abuja following their triumph at the WAFU B zone tournament in Niamey, Niger Republic.
The minister stated that the performance demonstrated the NFF board’s dedication to improving the game in the country.
Mr. Dare said: “I want you to maintain the same level of discipline on all sides.
“However, The future of football is in the hands of these young ones and we must do all to ensure it remains the same.
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“One way is to ensure that is the rebirth of our leagues and give it the quality it desires.
“This is also the only way we can have players who will go on to play for Super Eagles as well as top clubs in Europe.
“We will continue to work and support you were necessary and I must say that I am proud of what you have done,” the minister said.
Mohammed Sanusi, the General Secretary of NFF, lauded the minister for his commitment to the growth of the game.
“In a meeting, the minister once had with the NFF board, he challenged us to ensure that we focus on other teams as well alongside the Super Eagles.
“That challenge has been in our minds and that is what we have seen today in the Flying Eagles team.
“The team left days earlier to the Niger Republic ahead of the event and participated in friendly matches, which helped them acclimatize and better prepared for the tournament.
“This team have worked hard and I am happy to present them to you and Nigerians,” Sanusi added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria emerged champions of the seven-team tournament and have qualified for the 2023 U-20 African Championship in Egypt.