Israel donates sporting equipment to primary school in Abuja
Donation
By Fortune Abang
Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The State of Israel on Monday donated sports equipment worth approximately N3million to the Festival Road Primary school to advance sporting activities in Abuja.
The Foreign Ministry Director-General of Israel Yaakov Blitshien, who led the delegation of Israeli officials at the event, expressed his country’s resolve to deepen ties with Nigeria through sports development.
The director-general, while donating the equipment to the school, said the country looked forward to deepening bilateral ties between Israel and Nigeria through sports activities.
According to him, in 1960, when Nigeria got her independence, the first ever football coach of the Nigerian national team was an Israeli ‘Jerry’ Beit haLevi.
Blitshien said that steps would be taken to celebrate his life and connect both countries through sport.
“To the super brain pupils, it is always good to come together to enjoy sport games, which can also teach you hard work, devotion, discipline and other things you can derive from being good football player.
“Nigeria and Israel have always had strong football connections and today, they are more than 30 players that are playing in our leagues in Israel.
“I am also pleased to announce that in 2025, we are going to hold series of maiden sport events in celebrating coach Beit haLevi.
“The leagues between Israeli and Nigerian football will contest for the maiden Beit haLevi football Cup, let’s see who will win,’’he said.
Speaking at the event, John Fashanu, former England football striker turned Sports Consultant, urged the Pupils to embrace football as way of life to achieve meaningful growth
“Football is not just a game, it is a way of life; I am now 60 years old and I am still playing football and I am still coaching football.
“So, in here we have the next John Fashanus and we have the next Pele,” he said.
In separate interviews, a Pupil, Cynthia Ahamefula, said, “I love the way they were politely talking to us, they were not shouting at us.
“I wish they can also paint our school and provide blackboards, because what we have are not enough for us, also our school toilet is in bad state and needs repair.”
Glory Emmanuel said, “I am so glad that they came to our rescue, I want them to be doing this regularly.
“We need the ceilings to be fixed because they have become deplorable, we need our school to be painted and we need new boards and other teaching/learning materials.”
Meanwhile, another Pupil, Francis Frank, said, “I am so happy for what they have done for us today. I thank the Israeli delegation and pray God bless them.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
FEA/AMM
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Edited by Abiemwense Moru
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