Governor Abdullahi Sule, presenting trophy to the captain of Lafia team at the final of the 2nd edition of Nasarawa State U-13 inter-primary school boys football tournament.
Collins Chetuni, Lafia
Lafia Local Government Area has won the 2nd edition of the Nasarawa State U-13 Inter-Primary School Boys’ football tournament, defeating Akwanga Local Government Area 3-0 in penalty shootouts after regulation time.
The final game which was played at the Lafia City Stadium on Monday had Governor Abdullahi Sule, other government officials watching.
The winning is a significant achievement for the Lafia lads who did the double over their Akwanga counterparts whom they defeated 1-0 in the Group Stage.
Governor Abdullahi Sule presented the trophy to captain of the winning team and donations of ₦700,000 to the team.
Second place winner, Akwanga team received ₦500,000, while the 3rd place winner, Karu Local Government Area who defeated Doma 2-1 in the play-off received ₦400,000.
The Governor congratulated the kids on the occasion of the International Children’s Day Celebration which coincided with the grand finale of the competition, extending his gratitude to the sponsor, organising committee members, officials and participating Local Government Areas for making the tournament an unforgettable experience, adding he would look forward to continued success in the future.
He said, “I thank Hon. Aliyu Bello for using his Charity Foundation to be able to bring out these young champions who are actually demonstrating their talents.
“I want to thank everybody that has contributed enormously toward this competition, including the Ministries, Board and Association who collaborated with the Charity Foundation to make this event a huge success.”
He further made personal donations of ₦200,000 to the other nine Local Government Areas who participated in the championship.
Little wonder, Destiny Ime of Karu Local Government Area, won the most valuable player award as his teammate, Emmanuel Inediegwu, emerged as highest goalscorer of the tournament with five goals, while Jibrin Yahaya of Lafia Local Government Area scooped the best goalkeeper award. He conceding just two goals in the entire tournament.
Hamisu Zanwa won the best coach award after guiding Lafia to win the coveted title.
Awe Local Government Area received the fair play gong.
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Speaking earlier, sponsor of the competition and founder of Aliyu Bello Charity Foundation, Hon. Aliyu Bello, said the competition’s aim was to discover talents and give the children a career path.
“The need to catch them young and give the kids a career pathway in football was what inspired me to stage this tournament because I have passion for sports, particularly football.
“Also, it is to enable the State Government select from the pool of talents that abound to form a developmental team for the State where the talents discovered can be nurtured into global stars.
“Additionally, I decided to stage this competition in commemoration of the International Children’s Day Celebration, and hoping that a setting of this nature will create a platform for the development of our hidden potentials in sports.”
Aliyu Bello who doubles as the Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Nasarawa State, added that his non-governmental organisation is keying into the administrative blueprints of Governor Abdullahi Sule for Nasarawa State and her people.
He appreciated the Governor, Government of Nasarawa State and other key stakeholders for supporting the success of the tournament, disclosing that the next edition of the competition would take place either in Akwanga or Keffi Zone of the State.
The founder of the Aliyu Bello Charity Foundation expressed his unalloyed appreciation to members of the Competition’s Organising Committee headed by the State’s Director of Information, Danmusa Mohammed for spearheading a historic and memorable tournament.
Twelve out of the State’s thirteen Local Government Areas partook in the one week-long competition which began on 20th May, with the organisers providing free accommodation, feeding and local transportation logistics to the teams throughout the tournament.
Toto Local Government Area has not taken part in the tournament since it begun in 2023. Wamba Local Government Area won the maiden edition.
Meanwhile, the First Lady of Nasarawa State, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi-Sule, hosted a dinner party on Monday night to celebrate the tournament’s success and honour the participating teams.
The evening’s highlight was the presentation of ₦100,000 personal cash donation by the First Lady to the most valuable player, highest goalscorer, best goalkeeper, best coach and fair play recipients and certificate of participation to the participating players and coaches.
The dinner party brought together players, coaches, and team officials of the participating Local Government Areas, providing a wonderful opportunity for them to exchange handshakes and snap photos with the First Lady, while sharing experiences and forging new friendships.
The First Lady said she was committed to supporting the growth and development of young people and promoting healthy lifestyles through sports, and doing so on the activities marking the International Children’s Day Celebration.
She added that she was thrilled to see the positive impact of the tournament on the young athletes and looked forward to continuing to support organisers of the competition in the future.
On his part, the Captain of Lafia Local Government Area team, Abubakar Suleiman, applauded the generosity and motherly instincts of the First Lady to the teams, and extended his gratitude to the sponsor of the tournament, Hon. Aliyu Bello, for creating the best platform for talent development in the State.
