Diplomats Hail Football as Powerful Tool for Strengthening International Relations
Oru Leonard
Diplomats and key stakeholders have underscored the importance of football as a powerful instrument for promoting unity, cultural exchange, and stronger bilateral relations among nations.
They made the remarks during a football viewing party organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, in collaboration with the Polish Embassy in Nigeria, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The event, which brought together football enthusiasts, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and sports stakeholders, was organised to watch the international friendly match between Nigeria and Poland.
The entertaining encounter saw Nigeria’s Super Eagles held to a dramatic 2-2 draw after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser in Warsaw, Poland.
Speaking after the match, Michał Cygan, Head of Mission and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Poland to Nigeria, described the game as an exciting spectacle that showcased football’s unique ability to unite people across borders.
“It did not look like a friendly game; it looked like a thriller for the next blockbuster. The result reflects the quality of both teams, and we are delighted by the enthusiasm shown by supporters both in Warsaw and Abuja,” he said.
Cygan noted that sports remain an effective platform for fostering friendship, mutual understanding, and people-to-people connections among nations. According to him, football creates opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to interact through shared experiences and positive engagement.
He also reaffirmed Poland’s commitment to supporting sports development initiatives in Nigeria, particularly programmes aimed at identifying and nurturing young talents.
Also speaking, Supachoke Yensuang, Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Royal Thai Embassy in Abuja, described football as a universal language capable of strengthening diplomatic ties.
“Football is the number one sport in both Thailand and Nigeria. It provides an avenue for bringing people together and strengthening relations between countries.
“We look forward to future opportunities for sporting exchanges between Thailand and Nigeria, including possible matches involving national teams or former international players,” he said.
In his remarks, Ambassador Dr. Kingsley Obasohan of the European African Chamber of Commerce and Industries highlighted the role of sports in fostering peaceful coexistence and international cooperation.
“Sports provide a veritable platform through which nations can unite irrespective of their differences. It is one of the most powerful instruments for building stronger relationships among countries,” he stated.
Stakeholders at the event unanimously agreed that sports diplomacy continues to play a significant role in promoting friendship, youth development, and international partnerships across the world.
The friendly match forms part of Nigeria’s preparations for upcoming international engagements, including a scheduled friendly against Portugal on June 10.
(NSC MEDIA)
