Principal’s Cup: Hon Minister’s speech @ the ceremonial kick off in Lagos, February 26, 2021

SPEECH BY   HONOURABLE MINISTER OF YOUTH AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT MR SUNDAY AR THE CEREMONIAL KICK OFF OF THE NATIONAL PRINCIPAL’S CUP AT THE AGEGE STADIUM, LAGOS ON FRIDAY, 26TH FEBRUARY 2021

Protocol

Your Excellency,  the Executive  Governor of Lagos State, the Deputy Governors of Edo and  Kano States, Minister  of State for Education, Director General of the NYSC, MY Permanent  Secretary,  President  of the Schools  Sports Federation,  My Dear Students, Ex Internationals, Distinguished  Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is my pleasure  to welcome you all to the revived Principal’s  cup which has been  in comatose for more than fifteen  years.

The history  of the Principal’s  Cup dates back to the 1960s  when Schools competed  for honours at the state level in just football. The Principal’s  Cup brought led to  the discovery  of young talents, fostered  friendship and enhanced the physical  wellbeing  of students.

The Principal’s  Cup is quite nostalgic  for me as a young boy growing up in Jo’s, Plateau  State where such talents like Former Super Eagles player  Sunday Daniel, Ex Junior internationals Tony Agarandukwu, Bala Ali  Alli Jeje, Danjuma Baba were discovered from the Principal’s  Cup.

The competition evoked eternal rivalry  between  Saint Finbars College  with the likes of ex Internationals Wakilu Oyenuga, Christopher Anigala, Henry Nwosu, Stephen  Keshi,Ahmadiya  College which produced Tunde Disu Waidi Akani, Saint Greg’s  College with players like Tarila Okorowanta  Abiodun Baruwa, Baptist Academy Which had Franklin Howard Tajudeen  Disu College, Government  College Kaduna  produced the likes of Daniel Amokachi, Tajudeen  Oyekanmi, Saint Murumba College in  Jos had the likes of Segun Odegbami, Patrick Mancha.  Christ the Kings College Onitsha won the world secondary Schools Football competition in 1977 and  Sardauna Memorial College in 78 after exploits in the Principal’s Cup. The list of players discovered from this competition  is simply endless. These players not only became renowned  worldwide,  they are role models even after retirement. The late Chief MKO Abiola offered Academic  Schoolarship to the likes of Tajudeen  Disu, the Olukanmi Brothers who then bagged Masters Degree after quiting Football. These young ones can also enjoy similar opportunities  if they  apply themselves  well.

When I assumed office as Minister  about a year and few months ago, one  of my mission is talent  discovery,  welfare of atheletes  and the rehabilitation  of our decaying  infrastructures. The midwiving of the sports Industry Policy  that led to the retaging  of Sports from mere recreation to  business has led to new Frontiers  being  broken and new partnership forged. Our atheletes and sports Development  have a rebirth  which would create fresh opportunities.

Our  Principal’s  Cup was patterned alongside  the  British and collegiate American system  which serves as nursery  for the discovery  of young talents.It was the backbone  of our football Development. The backbone  that was dislocated  for many years has today been  rehabilitated  by the surgeon. It would no longer be afflicted by  any injury.

For the Principal’s  Cup to stand the test of time, there must be a synergy  between  the Schools through the Ministry  of Education, the Nigerian Shools Sports Federation, the organized private sector  and the Federal Ministry of Youth and sports Development who are the custodians of the competition.

The Principal’s  Cup  is far too important  to be treated with disdain or lukewarm  attitude.

If Nigeria wants to attain her true potentials  in sports, then we must all collectively  ensure the sustainability  of this great legacy.This event must be institutionalized  to become the nursery  of our sports culture.

While previous  event was just football,  the revived  competition  will feature other sports such as Atheletics and Table Tennis. We are setting  the tone for other sports  like Badminton,  boxing, volley ball, basketball,  Wrestling to be given  priority  in subsequent  editions. The foundation we are laying today with the ceremonial  match between  Government  College, Kaduna and Igbobi  College, Lagos  should inspire our students that they can be stars of the future. What is most critical  is that students can combine sports with their studies. This event had produced not just football stars,  but individuals  like Adokiye Amaesimaka, a product of CMS Grammar school who became Attorney  General Of Rivers State, Segun Odegbami, an Engineer,  Dr Felix Owolabi who bagged  PHD ,Seun Roberts  who is now a Colonel in the United States Army and  others who have  excelled  in their chosen fields of human endeavors  after their sports careers. These are role models that should inspire these young ones that are being  groomed as  future stars.

To my young players, let me emphasize  that you cannot be successful  without  commitment,  hardwork and discipline. Your future is guaranteed  if you concentrate  on your academics and strike a balance with your God given innate sports talents.

By expanding the number of events in the Principals’ Cup, the ministry hopes to kick start a self-sustaining process that will identify and nurture promising talents and produce future household names and make Nigeria a powerhouse in other sports like Basketball, Wrestling, boxing, Volleyball,  Table Tennis, Badminton,  Handball just like we have established  a reputation  in football.

As the honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, I have a firm belief that the only road to sustained podium performances by our sportsmen and women is a return to the basics that was the bane of our sports development from time past. The discovery of notable names in Atheletics,  boxing, Wrestling,  table Tennis,  basketball  which had placed Nigeria  on a global sports map would not have been  possible  without  a sustained schools sports system.What we are doing today is building a future  we would all be proud of, even when we have left the stage.

To the young ones, I appeal  to you to shun vices, drugs and acts that are inimical  to the development  of your God given talents. Opportunities  abound to see the world, become famously  great and good Ambassadors our our dear nation  if you imbibe the right attitude. You can secure sports scholarship  if you inculcate  a winning mentality and ignite your passion.

The Principal’s  Cup is not only a major factor  for building the  future, but to further advance our dream of ruling the world. We can do it collectively.

To my brother and Governor  of Lagos State,  I sincerely thank you  for providing  the facilities.To the Ministry  of Education,  we say thank you. To all our Sponsors,  we are greatly  honoured  that you have chosen to invest in the future  of   our Youth and our dear country.

As we move on to the competition  proper, I urge all our schools  to be guided  by the spirit  of fair play,discipline and sportsmanship.

Thanks for coming

God bless the Federal Republic  of Nigeria.

Honourable Sunday Dare

Minister  of Youth and sports Development