Ahead of this weekend’s crucial play-off between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and   the Walya  Antelopes of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa   for the Brazil 2014 world cup ticket, Senate President, David Mark, has charged the Nigeria side to leave nothing to chance in the battle.

Mark, in a goodwill message to officials and players   of Super Eagles, through his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, told Super Eagles that the nation “desires the World Cup ticket more than ever.”

Senate President, David Mark

”This World Cup in Brazil is very important to Nigeria. We need to be at the World Cup. Whatever we can do to earn the ticket must be done without delay”, Senator Mark stressed.

Besides, being a unifying factor, he said football   and sports generally have become a major tool for international politics and ranking (rating) of nations by international community .

”If we must maintain our status as the giant of Africa and a major player in the global community, we must have a stamp of authority in sports especially   soccer. Our officials and players must appreciate this fact and do the needful to make the nation proud”, Senator Mark stated.

He reminded the players of team spirit and cohesiveness in handling their Ethiopian counterparts stressing that they must not be under any guise under rate their opponents until the battle is fought and won.
Senator Mark was optimistic that the   Nigerian government would live up to its billings in terms of adequate welfare to the players and officials.

In a related development, Senator Mark has urged Nigerians especially the youths to show interest in the game of golf just as he dismissed the notion that the game is elitist.

Speaking when he tee-off the 2013 Nigeria Cup organized by the Ikoyi Golf Club in Lagos Senator Mark said everything should be done to encourage youths to take interest in sports.

He said contrary to the erroneous impression that golf is only for the elites, it is actually a game for all persons and for all ages.

”If you still   see golf as an elitist game, then , you are living in the past. All the professionals we have today were caddies yesterday. There are no queens or kings playing. We are all ordinary people. We should do more to get people interested in the game of golf,”he added.