Ray of hope shines on Nasarawa state as new sports commissioner, Jafaru Ango promises rapid, unmatched development

 

By Dayo Awoniyi

"We will leave no stone unturned to ensure we restore sports lost glory in Nasarawa state" was an affirmative statement made by Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Nasarawa State, Hon Jafar Ango while answering questions from journalists shortly after the draws for Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)held in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ango promised to deploy all the necessary human and material resources in actualising the dreams of rapid and unmatched sports development in the state.He said choosing a slogan "Creativity and excellence" was meticulously done because he will put machinery and mechanism on ground to achieve excellence in sports development in no distance time.

The commissioner who is just a week old in the office seek supports from all stakeholders in achieving his robust plans "In sports only one person can't do it, it's all about family affairs and we have to come together to ensure things are put together so that whatever that has gone wrong be fix to bring all sports activities to Nasarawa metropolis ".

He further expressed his disappointment that the state own club Nasarawa United was relegated last season but promise that by the grace of God all the necessary things will be done to ensure their quick come back to the elite league NPFL next season.

Ango said he visited Lafia Township Stadium on Monday and in the next three weeks,the  stadium is expected to wear new look as face lift is eminent and Nasarawa United can return to their home ground for better execution of their games.

ALGON/Engr AA Sule Unity Cup: Lafia, Awe, Karu, Nasarawa seal semi spots as race for top scorer heats up

Adams Jesse

The quartet of Lafia, Awe, Karu and Nasarawa have all booked their places in the semi finals of the ALGON/Engr AA Sule Inter Local Government Unity Cup.

The tournament that began with thirteen local government teams cut across the three senatorial zones of Nasarawa State namely Lafia, Akwanga and Karu has been nothing but excitement for the locals who trooped in their numbers to support their respective local government teams.

Lafia, Awe, Karu, Nasarawa, Wamba, Akwanga, Keffi and Keana all made it to the quarter finals but the quartet of Keffi, Wamba, Keana and Akwanga fell along the way, leaving Lafia, Karu, Awe and Nasarawa to battle it out for the place in the final.

The semi final peering will see Lafia LG face Karu LG while Awe LG will test the might of Nasarawa for a place in the finals.

Karu's Hattrick Hero, Samuel Emmanuel currently leads the scorers chat with four goals while the duo of Saifullahi Saidu and Meshach Edwards of Awe LG and Akwanga LG respectively have three goals each.

With Akwanga out Saifullahi Saidu of Awe will have to rediscover his goal form if he truly wants to wrestle the top scorer award from the Karu man.

Local league is the foundation of football - Aisha Musa

 

Adams Jesse

In the world of sports, the place of supporters can never be overlooked as they play key roles in ensuring their teams do well in all areas they find themselves.

It is never easy when you see locals going as far as moving from one area to another just to vent their supports to either their wards or teams.

The same can equally be said of a certain Hajjia Aisha Musa, a football fan that is always present in all local football tournaments in and around Lafia.

A stunt supporter of Nasarawa United and FC Basira, Aisha also reveals her love for English giant, Manchester City as she says her love for local contents can never be overtaken by anything foreign.

"I support Nasarawa United Locally, FC Basira is also a favored team. While Internationally I support Manchester City".

"Football is my hobby, I love watching football both local and international, she says". 

"I simply love the game beyond limits".

"I've seen our youths football, because football brings people together but one thing is we must have sanity in football".

 "Because there are little errors here and there, but we need to try as much as possible to groom these youths to come out pure and disciplined. When I say pure, I mean coming clean in our football because local league is the foundation of football. So if there is sanity, they will come out clean and disciplined".

Aisha Musa however says she rates the ongoing ALGON/Engr. A.A Sule Inter Local Government Unity Cup 70% as he has surpassed many people's expectations as it's aim of promoting peace amongst youths has be achieved.

ALGON/A.A Sule Unity Cup kicks off in Lafia as Awe LG share spoils with Obi LG

 

Adams Jesse

It was blitz and glitz as the first edition of the ALGON/A.A Sule Inter Local Government Unity Cup get underway at the Federal University of Lafis's sport Complex.

The opening ceremony which saw Awe LG battled it out with Obi LG was attended by top government functionaries at the venue.

The ALGON/Lafia LG Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Muazu Maifata was on hand for the official kick off as with him were the Nasarawa State FA Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, his Vice, Alhaji Haladu Akwashiki.

The Obi LG Chairman, Mr Joshua Ozhe-Yekpowudu, Emir of Azara HRH Dr Kabiru Musa and The Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Mr Hamzat Moyi were all on ground to witness the opening ceremony.

Saifullahi Saidu gave Awe the lead in the 10th minutes before Obi LG who dominated the game equalized in the 59th minute through a well placed penalty converted by Abubakar Arika as both sides shared the spoils in Lafia.

Speaking after the game, the chairman Nasarawa state FA, Mohammed Alkali disclosed that it was a thing of joy as youths from different backgrounds and local government are coming together to interact despite their ethnical, religious and political differences.

"I feel very happy to have staged this very first edition of the ALGON/ Engr. A.A. Sule Unity Cup as this has brought youths cuts across the different local government together in peace and of course in unity".

"Youth are said to be the bedrock of any community and this is part of Engr. A.A Sule's little way of encouraging sports at the grassroot".

"We hope to continue this tournament annually and we pray that future stars will break out, he concluded".

There are three centers, Lafia, Akwanga and Keffi Centers.

Next Doma LG will battle Lafia LG in Fulafia Sports complex while in Keffi Center Nasarawa will battle Karu as in Akwanga center Wamba LG will face Nasarawa Eggon.

Dogo debunks speculation of leaving Nasarawa United

.... says 'I'm going nowhere '

Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United, Suleiman Kabiru Dogo  has reassured Management and Fans of the Solid Miners that he is not leaving the Club against speculations.

Allu hails Aklosendi NNL promotion

The CEO of Aklosendi International Football Club Lafia, David Faith Allu has expressed satisfaction with the performance of his team after they defeated KJ United to sealed League Promotion in Lokoja at the Weekend.