Lagos govt insures Eaglets

Niyi Alebiosu, Senior Sports Reporter, Lagos - 13.09.2007

Black Queens’ Lydia Ankrah (right) contests with
Australia’s Sarah Walsh during their Group C
match at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup
in Hangzhou Dragon Stadium, Hangzhou, China
on Wednesday. Photo: Courtesy FIFA.com

LAGOS State government has obtained life insurance policies for each of the 21 players of the victorious Golden Eaglets to the tune of N100,000, while the team coach, Yemi Tella was insured for N200,000.

The state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) made the announcement at a dinner in honour of the team on Tuesday night at the State House. Apart from the insurance policy, Fashola also gave the team’s assistant coaches shares worth N400,000 in the state-owned LASACO, while the team coach, Yemi Tella got shares worth N800,000 as well.

Fashola said the Eaglets had exemplified the fact that with perserverance and unity, Nigeria could attain the desired greatness which everyone would be proud of, adding that he was excited by the discipline and unity which propelled the boys to win the coveted trophy.

He, however, counselled the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to put the boys together to form the nucleus of the team that would graduate to the U-20 side, the Flying Eagles in two years.

The players, who expressed their appreciation to the governor, through team’s goalkeeper, Oladele Ajiboye told Tribunesports that they were happy with the gesture, saying, “this gesture is better than cash reward considering our ages.”

Dignitaries present at the victory dinner included NFA chairman, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdulahi, first vice chairman, Amanze Uchegbulam, and members of Lagos State executive led by Commissioner for Sports, Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele.