Super Eagles supporters

The Niger government says it will collaborate with the Nigeria Football Supporters Club to develop the state chapter of the club ahead of Russia World Cup scheduled for June 14 to July 15, 2018.

Malam Adamu Aliyu, chairman, Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna made this known in Minna on Friday during a dinner with the state chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), according to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

“The governor has signified his readiness to receive the national executive of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club under the leadership of Mr Vincent Okumagba at the Government House Minna,’’ he said.

Aliyu thanked Okumagba for ensuring that the state chapter of the club was inaugurated on October 7, promissing that government would do everything possible to make the chapter vibrant.

He said that the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello, has not hidden his passion for sports since assuming office over two years ago hence the support that enabled Niger Tornadoes to finish as runners up in the maiden edition of the AITEO Cup in Lagos.

“The state stand to gain many things through the partnership because sports are now vehicle of change and development.

“Sports are the leading institution in the world today and the state is ready to partner all the key stakeholders that will make the people of the state improve their social and economic life.

“ The Nigeria football supporters club has been around for a long time and also contributing immensely to the growth of football through their presence at all the stadia across the world.

“So there is need to partner with them so that the state too can savour from the world cup in Russia,’’ he said.