Professional players of Plateau State descent that ply their trade outside the shores of the country have been admonished to be discipline on/ off the field and must work extra hard on the pitch to attain and maintain greatness.This admonition was given by the Plateau State Governor, His Excellency, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, at the Government House, Rayfield, Jos, when the Plateau State FA Chairman, Hon. (Dr) Prince Suleiman Yahaya Kwande in company of the State Commissioner For Youths and Sports, Hon. Musa Ashoms led Plateau State Footballers based abroad to pay him a courtesy visit. Gov Mutfwang, while welcoming the players appreciated their love and respect for the state even to find it important to visit him during their holiday. The Governor, thereafter, urged the players to exhibit high sense of discipline in their clubs both on and off the pitch, and must work extra hard especially when competing with citizen in the same position so as to attain greatness as he maintained that not everyone has the opportunity they have, to go abroad and play for different clubs.He said: ‘Not everyone has the opportunity to have the privilege of going out of the country.Therefore, I want to sincerely encourage you all to be more discipline, you have a lot to achieve, don’t reject discipline, you must endure to the end, you know what you are aiming at”.He further admonished them to take cues from players before them on how they endured their little beginning and later God opened better doors, thus, he encouraged them to stay away from alcohol, drugs and bad friends who will always want to bring them down.” You must learn from those big players before you, there are things you must stay away from..you must stay away from drugs, alcohol and bad friends who will want to pull you down, don’t compare yourself with anyone, be patient, diligent and know that many loves are depending on you but that does not mean you should spend anyhow, you must invest and your success is other people’s success as they will make something out of whatever you make them get and the wealth will circulate”.Governor Mutfwang, again enjoined the players not to be deterred by the harsh weather conditions over there, that it’s just a matter of time as the end always justifies the means when patience is applied and encouraged them to always live a modest life like Ngolo Kante, who does not live an extravagant life but gives back to the society he is coming from.He called on the players to be financially prudent by investing whatever they have now for a future after their career as there will always be an end to all they get now but investments keeps it going after.”People will always expect money from you, it’s normal but you have to be wise, beg them to give you time; don’t spend anyhow, maintain financial discipline, so as to consolidate or else you will not even help yourself, so you have to be careful as some of you at the slightest opportunity, you’ll want to go for big and expensive cars, but you need what will serve you after your career”.The Governor, then encouraged them as Plateau citizens and residents, even as he assured of Government’s commitment to elevating sporting facilities and standards in the state.Responding on behalf of the players, former Plateau United striker, Akila Jesse, who now plies his trade in Easter Europe, appreciated the Governor for granting them the opportunity to talk to him as the father of the state, who will continue to be a voice for them at the National level. Credit: Nathaniel Mobolade, SSIMEDIA, Jos
