Lafia Local Government Area have emerged Champions of the 2nd edition of the Nasarawa State U-13 Inter-Primary School Boys’ Football Tournament, defeating Akwanga Local Government Area 3-0 via penalty shootouts after a nail-biting final match.
The final game was played at the Lafia City Stadium on Monday, 27th May, 2024, in front of Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, great dignitaries and a packed crowd of enthusiastic fans.
Both finalists demonstrated exceptional skills, teamwork and determination, but it was Lafia Local Government Area which ultimately secured a 3-0 victory via spot kicks after regulation time had ended goalless apiece.
The championship win marks 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 of Nasarawa State presented the winners’ trophy to the Captain of Lafia Local Government Area, making personal donations of 700,000 Naira to the newest Champions, 500,000 Naira to the Runners-up team, and 400,000 Naira to the 3rd Place winners, Karu Local Government Area, who defeated Doma 2-1 in the play-off.
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, organizing 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.
“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 Naira to the other nine Local Government Areas which 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 after conceding only 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.
Speaking earlier, sponsor of the competition and founder of Aliyu Bello Charity Foundation, Hon. Aliyu Bello, revealed to the audience the rationale behind staging the competition.
“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 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 Organizing 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 Organizers providing free accommodation, feeding and local transportation logistics to the teams throughout the tournament.
Only Toto Local Government Area has never taken part in the tournament since it started in 2023 where Wamba Local Government Area won the maiden edition.
Among dignitaries who attended the grand finale included Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau; Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Muhammad Aliyu Ubandoma; Senator representing Nasarawa Western Zone, Ahmed Wadada; Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Jafaru Ango, and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi; Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Kwanta Yakubu; Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Special Duties and NGOs, Dr. Margaret Elayo Itake; Legal Adviser, APC, National, Barr. Abdulkarim Kana; former Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Othman Bala Adam; Members of the State House of Assembly; Chairmen of Lafia(Hon. Muaza Maifata), Akwanga (Hon. Safiyanu Isa Andaha), Karu(Hon. Thomas James), Keffi(Mohammed Baba Shehu), Doma(Arc. Ahmad Sarki Usman) Local Government Areas; Wing Commander M.A. Idris of the Nigerian Airforce, Lafia, and Chairman, Nasarawa State Football Association, Salisu Galadima ‘Basira’.
Meanwhile, the First Lady of Nasarawa, Her Excellency, 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 Naira personal cash donation by the First Lady each 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 Organizers of the competition in the future.
Captain of Lafia Local Government Area team, Abubakar Suleiman, applauded the generosity and motherly instincts of the First Lady to the teams, extending gratitude to the sponsor of the tournament, Hon. Aliyu Bello, for creating the best platform for talent development in the State, promising to live to actualize their goals in football.
Among those on the entourage of the First Lady were wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Tosan Sheila Akabe; Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Aisha Rufai-Ibrahim; Secretary, Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board, Hajiya Hashia Ahmad; Aides to Governor Abdullahi Sule, and Chairperson, Kwararafa Women’s Association, Nasarawa State chapter, Hajiya kaltume Suleiman Ogah.
The Nasarawa State Cultural Troupe thrilled the audience to colourful dance performances.