Former Nigeria international, Daniel Amokachi has hailed the initiative to revive the Principal Cup football competition.
The football competition which was formerly referred to as the Emmanuel Adebajo Cup had in times past produced many stars for Nigeria.
However, like several other good initiatives, the landmark football competition has been abandoned for several years as the culture of sports participation in schools fizzled out.
At the ceremonial kickoff of the National Principals Cup in Lagos on Friday, Amokachi said bringing back the competition is a step in the right direction with the potential of unearthing more raw football talents scattered across the four walls of classrooms in the country.
“We have to commend all the people that have put this in place; from the honourable Minister of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of education who found it fit to revamp the Emmanuel Adebajo Cup which is the Principals Cup right now, they all deserve to be commended,” Amokachi, who is President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser on Sports said on Friday at the Agege Stadium.
Official flag-off
The revamped National Principal Cup got underway on Friday with a thrilling encounter between the Igbobi Boys College and Government College Kaduna.
The pulsating encounter ended 1-1 and Amokachi was full of praises for the soccer artistry displayed by the two schools; especially his Alma Mata, Government College Kaduna.
“You can see how excited the young players are, for the organiser to fly students of Government College Kaduna to come and play here (at the Agege stadium), it is really commendable and when you look at the quality of display by the two teams, you will agree they both have great potentials,” Amokachi said after the ceremonial opening fixture.
Dream come true
On his part, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare who is the brain behind the revival of the Principal’s Cup said Friday’s flag-off was a dream come true.
He said: “It’s a dream come true to be here today (Friday), to watch young stars kick off the National Principal Cup. We are so proud of what they’ve done today. It is my hope that young talents will be discovered from this principal cup to become the likes of Daniel Amokachi , Franklin Howard, Tajudeen Disu, Waidi Akanni who are here as a source of inspiration to these young stars.”
“The Principal’s cup brought friendship and fostered unity, therefore we want to bring back its lost glory…” The Minister added.
Some products of the Principal’s cup include Segun Odegbami, Daniel Amokachi, Henry Nwosu, Tajudeen Disu, Ali Jeje who all became notable internationals.”
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