By Adewale Ajayi
The sleeping town of Mokwa is just about one hour drive away from Kainji, home of the very popular Kainji Dam in Niger state, North central Nigeria.
Mokwa town, played host to the 37th edition of the Niger state governor's cup competition and coincidentally, Mokwa local government football club, came up against Bida local government football club, in what turned out an exciting and enthralling final match.
On the sandy pitch of the government secondary school Mokwa, thousands of football fans, found comfort under the scotching sun as history was made before their curious eyes.
The executive governor of Niger state, his excellency, Abubakar Sani Bello, represented by his deputy, Ahmed Muhammad Gesto, was flanked to his right by state commissioners, government functionaries, friends and other well wishers while to his left, were chieftains of the NFF executive committee, Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, Ibrahim Gusau, Sherrif Inuwa Rabiu, Mohammed Alkali, Baba Gana Kali and Otunba Dele Ajayi.
Also on the high table is NFF general secretary, Sanusi Mohammed, FA chairmen of Ogun, Osun, Plateau, Kaduna, Bauchi and Katsina states.
The moment provided a perfect platform to celebrate one of the oldest inter local government football competitions in Nigeria but beyond that, it was an occasion planned to honour one of their own, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, chairman of the NFF referees appointment committee and the most successful FA chairman in the history of Niger state.
Ahmed Yusuf Fresh is fast becoming one of the most influential football administrator's in Nigeria and his achievements, especially in the area of grassroot sports development has really endeared him to the youths of Niger state and beyond.
No wonder, the cream dela cream in the Nigeria football family embarked on the gruelling journey from Abuja to Mokwa, a town just a stone throw away from the popular Dam of Kainji.
Over ten thousand fans watched with glee and excitement as the host took an early lead only for Bida local government to draw parity as the first half ended in an exciting score draw.
Just when many thought the game was dragging into the rigours of penalty kicks, Bida LGA clinched the all important second goal which ensured they emerged champions of the 37th edition of the Niger state governors cup as they also smiled home with a giant trophy, laced with #250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand naira only).
Mokwa local government area were consoled after finishing second with a trophy and cash prize of #150,000 ( one hundred and fifty thousand naira only) while the third prize winner, Suleja LGA, got 100,000 naira too from the state government for their effort.
Awards of recognition were also given to almost all the invited dignitaries present at Sunday's event.
The 38th edition of the Niger state governor's cup comes up next year with the final holding in the very popular Kainji local government area, home of the Dam.
What an event to look forward to.
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