Tunde Sulaiman
16 December 2008
Lagos — The rapprochement between the Federal Government and world football's governing body, FIFA, will be on display January 18 in Abuja when President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua formally launches the mascot and emblem for next year's FIFA U-17 World Cup, with FIFA President Sepp Blatter in attendance.
The relationship between the two had hit a rough patch a few months ago when the Federal Government announced it would not be able to host FIFA's cadet event due to the global business and finance meltdown.
But the government then had a re-think and agreed to go ahead with the competition after the budget was reviewed downwards from N35 billion to N9 billion. However, in spite of the cheery news of a re-think, FIFA still went on to seek fresh guarantees, which prompted former National Sports Commission (NSC) Director General Dr. Amos Adamu, who is a member of the FIFA Executive Committee, together with the supervising NSC minister, Alhassan Zaku to head to Zurich late last month to re-assure the football governing body of the country's new resolve to host the 24 best cadet teams in the world.
In fact it is because the FIFA boss has indicated his willingness to be at the Aso Villa event that the launch was pushed forward to the January 18 date.
The Vice-president, Goodluck Jonathan, who has been put in overall charge of the competition, after the government made its decision turn-around, is also in charge of mascot/emblem matters, in conjunction with the Nigeria'09 Local Organising Committee.
The launch will also have in attendance some of the names from the three previous triumphs of Nigeria in the global football competitions for youngsters.
From the nation's trail blazing China'85 squad, the event's organisers have invited Nduka Ugbade, who captained the side to that famous victory over the then West Germany in the first ever competition.
The victory of the youngsters in the Far East prompted government to re-christen the team the Golden Eaglets.
Eight years after this triumph another Nigerian team went back to the Far East to conquer the world and although Wilson Oruma captained the team to victory in Japan, current Super Eagles skipper Nwankwo Kanu is the player chosen for the Abuja event from that squad.
Haruna Lookman, who skippered the Eaglets to the last triumph, incidentally again in Asia, this time South Korea, will represent the current world champions.
Sources explained that the government agreed to bring the former junior players from the three previous victories to showcase the nation's prowess in the cadet competition.
Meanwhile, FIFA officials are being expected in the country next month for another round of inspection of the country's facilities that have been listed for usage in the tournament that is kicking off in October.
Nine cities have indicated their willingness to be part of the global cadet soccer action, but only six will eventually have the honour. Abuja has already been penciled down as one of the host cities.
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