By: Egerton Onah
The Nice Football Club, Ogoja born Striker, Terem Moffi on Wednesday, paid a courtesy visit to the Sports Development Commissioner, Hon. Agnes Atsu in Calabar.
The Super Eagles Striker who is in Calabar with his family to spend the holiday was accompanied by his father Barr. Leo Moffi, and brother Korishor Moffi, stated that he deemed it necessary to embark on the visit to the State as a place where he started his football career, adding that as a young player who then was playing for YSFON ACADEMY and Diamond Stars football club, he lived in the Calabar Stadium hostel and did his trainings at the Calabar stadium which propelled him to attain his height of success in his football career.
He thanked the Commissioner and staff of the ministry for the warm reception they offered him with promising to partner with the ministry to further improve sporting activities in the state.
The Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Agnes Atsu, on behalf of the Governor, welcomed the Cross River born Soccer Star to her office.
She applauded his father Barr. Leo Moffi who played for Enugu Rangers and Calabar Rovers football clubs for his outstanding contributions to football development in the State, especially with nurturing his son to continue in his career of playing football, and today is making Cross River State proud; even as he is now a global soccer striker per Terem Moffi.
She thanked Terem Moffi for remembering to come and visit the premises where he started his career as it is a honour done to the Ministry, the Government and the State, further applauded him for thinking in the right direction of developing sporting activities in his indigenous home, Cross River State.
The commissioner admonished the Super Eagles Striker who is now a football ambassador of the state, to continue in his efforts of making Cross River proud.
She maintained that Terem Moffi and other Cross River indigenous athletes who are making the State proud will be honoured by Governor Bassey otu in a grand reception at the Government House, as the Governor who has a People's First Mantra is kin about developing football as one of the sporting activities that can empower young people and also unify the people, which is why he is collaborating with other sporting organizations to improve sporting activities in the state.
She disclosed Governor's agenda of extending sporting activities to other parts of the state with the building and equipping of a world class stadium at Ogoja that will meet the standard of hosting football tournaments and other sports competitions.
The special adviser to the Governor on sports development, Hon.Ekanem Ekpenyong expressed delight on having the Super Eagles star visit the ministry, stated that the commissioner who is proactive in the development of sporting activities in the state, and other officers of the commission are happy to have Terem Moffi visit Cross River again with passion to promote sports in the state.
He enumerated the challenges that the state is faced with when it concerns sports and the upcoming clubs, charged Terem to also embrace the responsibility of giving support to football clubs in the state while developing young football players. He also applauded the Governor Sen(Prince) Bassey Otu for the unflinching support he has been giving to the commission for the development of sporting activities in the state.
Terem Moffi magnanimously donated the sum of One Million (1,000,000) naira and twenty five football to the Pelican Stars football club as well as; 25 footballs to Rovers FC, replica Jersey of his club to the commissioner and permanent secretary of the ministry.
Those present at the event were, The Honourable Commissioner for sports development- Hon.Agnes Atsu, the Special Adviser to the Governor on sports development- Hon. Ekanem Ekpenyong, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry - Mr. Samuel Egbala,the director of sports commission -Mr. Moses Agbor, Chairman Pelican stars FC - Mr.Sam Kombo, secretary of CRSFA-Mr. Talabi Oke, vice chairman of the State football association - Mr. Gregory Abang, Dr Godwin Odey and other Staff of the ministry of sports development.
