Fashanu to be Sports Ambassador (fwd)

[o. kasirim nwuke]

Perhaps Akim will profit from this.

okn
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ABUJA MIRROR: FEBRUARY 4-10, 1998

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Fashanu to be Sports Ambassador

By Jubril Tahiru

Africa's football star, John Fashanu, is to be appointed as Nigeria's
Sports Ambassador. Disclosing this while receiving the ex-international
in Abuja, the Minister of Youths and Sports, Air Commodore Emeka
Omeruah, described John Fashanu as one of Africa's foremost soccer star
who has had a distinguished career and commended him for coming back
home to make his services available to his fatherland.

"It is a good thing that you have decided to come back home and
contribute to the development and promotion of sports, particularly
soccer in Nigeria and it is our wish that you will come back with full
force", the minister said.

According to Commodore Omeruah, "the Nigeria's sporting world is
untapped, lucrative and viable and with the support and encouragement of
people with your wealth of experience, Nigeria will be a force to reckon
with in world sports.

Earlier in his remarks, the former Wimbledon captain who topped the goal
score chart in Wimbledon for 5 consecutive seasons congratulate the
minister on his recent appointment, stressing that it is a shining
tribute and a recognition of your tract record of achievements both as a
former Sports minister and chairman of the NFA.

Mr. Fashanu disclosed that he had been involved in the project of
providing assistance to many other Nigerian sportsmen and women who
require international exposure. He said his visit is to formally offer
himself for further services to his fatherland assuring that he is able
and ready to make more contributions towards the development and
internationalisation of Nigerian sports.

According to him, "it is my view that victories and successes in
sporting activities are won outside the arena. That is why I think the
nation can avail itself of my advice and experience in the area of
international contracts and politics of sports.

Mr. Fashanu commended Nigeria's sports administrators for the employment
of Mr. Bora Milutonovic as the coach of the national team, stressing
that Bora is a world class coach who can stand his own any time any
where, if given the adequate incentives, freehand and co-operation to do
his work.

The ex-international who disclosed that he has also taken interest in
the welfare of individual Nigerian sport talents said he is currently
negotiating for a new world class club for Daniel Amokachi who is
playing professional in Turkey.

He is also promoting the interest of Mr. Herbie Okechi Hide, the
Nigerian born world heavyweight boxing champion from Owerri who won the
title in June 1997.

According to him, Herbie is the first African to ever win a heavyweight
title in any category and he is patriotic and loves to hand his title
belt to the head of sate.

He therefore urged the minister of Youths and Sports to help facilitate
Herbie's presentation to the head of state before his title defence in
March.

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[Abba]

Netters,

This is a very welcomed news. It's great that
Fash' wonderful contributions to Nigerian (and African)
Soccer is finally recognized. He is responsible for most of
the lucrative deals our fine Eaglets are enjoying in the UK
and other elite European (soccer) nations.
I have met him a few times, and there is no denying the fact
that he is a fine Nigerian who wants great things for Nigeria.
I have not seen a more deserving appointment lately! Thank
you Honourable Sports Minister Emeruah.
Oga Oguocha, shall we (M2M) reserve that vacant sports ministership
to this illustrious Nigerian?

Best regards as always,

Abba

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> From: o. kasirim nwuke <knw...@lynx.dac.neu.edu>
> To: The Nigerian Meeting Place <naij...@esosoft.com>
> Subject: Fashanu to be Sports Ambassador (fwd)
> Date: Friday, February 13, 1998 12:38 AM