By Samuel Onyekwere
Former Super Eagles players, Augustin Eguavoen, Samson Siasia and Waidi Akanni, have come out to clear the air on their involvement and in the controversial fund raiser for the Super Eagles. Making the clarification in a radio programme monitored in Lagos, the former Eagles skipper, Eguavoen, said they were contacted by Queen Ubo Idrissa, President of Power Lifting Federation of Nigeria, who intimated them of the idea to raise funds for the team. He said because Nigerians are passionate about the Eagles, he and his colleagues saw the need to embark on the project, as was done for them in 1994 by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Ensuring that everybody will be allowed to contribute to the fund raiser, he however stated that they will not fail to raise alarm if they discover that the money is not properly deployed.
Explaining her role in the fund raiser, Queen Idrissa revealed that she was contacted by the current Sports Minister, Solomon Dalong, to spearhead the project based on her past records in fund raising. So she had to contact the former players who agreed to help with the initiative.
She said: “I believe it’s a way to support the Eagles. The aim is to get enough financial support for the team going to Russia including the supporters.”
According to her, when the minister intimated her of the project, she first contact the hierarchy of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), including its President Amaju Pinnick, who gave their blessings and so wonders why the whole controversy about the football house not being aware of the project.
She explained that the minister decided to pick an independent body to raise the funds to ensure transparency.
Siasia, while contributing, explained that the planned fund raiser is a back up for the Eagles. “This is the first time ex-players are coming forward to raise funds for other players and we will suggest that some of the money raised be used for grassroots soccer development.”
The fund raiser is billed to hold on May 3, 2018, at the Banquet Hall of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.