Football

PMB grateful to CAF over Platinum Award, says ‘‘Football loves me”

Published

10 years ago

January 12, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday thanked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for honouring him with the Glo/CAF Platinum Award for Good Leadership.

The award was conferred on the President on Thursday in Abuja in recognition of his support for football which resulted in Nigeria winning two major international tournaments in 2015.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Solomon Dalung received the award on behalf of the President and presented it to him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Receiving the award from Dalung, Buhari spoke of a love relationship between him and the game of football.

He recalled that Nigeria first won the Under-17 World Cup in 1985 in China, when he was military head of state.

“Thirty years after the first victory, Nigeria won again last year. What a fabulous coincidence. I think football loves me,’’ he said.

Speaking while presenting the award to the President, Dalung noted that the nation had been witnessing positive achievements since the inception of the President Buhari-led Federal Government.

“Under your administration, we won the Under 17 World Cup and we also won the Under 23 African Cup of Nations.

“We have had very good fortune in football since you came to office and the sports family is very happy,’’ he said.

The Glo/CAF Awards are held annually to reward deserving players, coaches, managers and supporters of African football.