Minister canvasses for Eagles safety

Sports and Social Development Minister, Dr Saidu Samaila Sambawa has petitioned his Algerian counterpart to register his displeasure over the hostile and inhuman treatment meted out to the country’s basketball team, D’Tigers during the African Championship in Algeria. Sambawa also urged the Algerian authorities to ensure adequate security for members of the Super Eagles and officials, insisting that the national soccer team should be accorded respect in Oran this weekend for the Germany 2006 World Cup qualifier against the Algerian Desert Warriors on Sunday.

The Sports Minister stated that he has sent a message to the Nigerian Ambassador to Algeria to ensure that the shoddy and cruel treatment meted out to the D'Tigers in the recent African Championship in Algeria, is not repeated on the Super Eagles. "I've informed our Ambassador in Algeria to take adequate care of members of the Super Eagles".

“What happened to our Basketball team in Algeria is no longer news. You must have all heard about the ordeal faced by our basketball team while in Algeria in the hands of the Algerians during the recent African Championship. I have since communicated the Algerian embassy here as well as my Algerian counterpart to register our displeasure over the hostile treatment meted out to our basketball team.

“I would not want a repeat of such ill-treatment on the football team. So, I have urged my Algerian counterpart to ensure adequate security for the football team, because I would not tolerate any form of humiliation on members of the Super Eagles. "Similarly, I have been in constant touch with the Nigerian Ambassador to Algeria to ensure that, proper arrangements provided provided for the team to be comfortable while there, unlike what was in place during the African Basketball Championship.

“I’m convinced that,from the arrangemets we have made, the Super Eagles will not encounter any form of discomfort in Algeria," Sambawa,who disclosed that he has arranged to storm Oran with a large number of football followers to the team, promised.

KRIS ALIKA