The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has expanded the National Principals’ Cup from its football mandate to accommodate Athletics, Table Tennis, Boxing and Badminton.
The sports minister, Sunday Dare while unveiling the logo and brand ambassador in Lagos said the move is part of the ministry’s effort to revamp the tournament and is fundamental to the Sports Ministry’s “mandate of expanding the catchment areas of our grassroots development efforts in the country”.
It will be recalled that Principals’ Cup was traditionally a football tournament for secondary schools, where state champions compete for the national title.
Late Stephen Keshi, Daniel Amokachi, Henry Nwosu, Sunday Oliseh, Joseph Dosu and Jonathan Akpoborie are some of the notable names to have come through the competition who all went on to have successful football careers including playing and winning laurels for Nigeria.
“As the 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,” Dare said.
